rjUutSfiJ* 


smmbummnet 


OF  THE 


ilriiHl^  I  of  Religion, 


IS  THE 


COUNTY  OF  ONEIDA 


PARTICULAkLY 


IN  THE  BOUNDS  OF  THE 


RBESB7TBBT  OP  0NSED4 


IN  THE  YEAR  1826, 


UTIOA? 

?TfiNTED  BY  HASTINGS  &  T£A£r 
t&26. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Oneida,  held  in  Whitesborough,  Sep- 
tember 8,  1826— 

The  Rer.  John  Frost,  Rev.  Moses  Gillet,  and  Rev.  Noah  Coe,  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  receiye  communications  from  ministers  and  other?, 
respecting  the  late  revivals  of  religion  in  this  county,  particularly  within 
our  bounds ;  and  to  publish  a  narrative  of  the  same,  accompanied  with  such 
remarks  as  they  should  deem  proper,  and  such  suggestions,  as,  in  their  judg- 
ment, are  calculated  to  sustain  and  increase  the  spirit  of  religion  in  our 
churches. 

NOAH  COE, 
Stated  Cltrk  of  Oneida  Presbytery. 


Some  may  think  that  the  following  accounts  are  too  long,  and  that  there  is 
much  unnecessary  repetition.  To  such  the  Committee  would  observe,  that 
they  should  have  abridged  them  more  than  they  have  done,  were  it  not  for 
the  fact,  that  so  much  has  been  said  at  home  and  abroad,  both  by  friends  and 
enemies,  respecting  this  revival ;  that  so  many  false  reports  have  been  cir- 
culated, and  such  various  opinions  have  been  formed.  The  Committee  have 
thought,  that  the  plain  unvarnished  narratives  of  those  who  were  eye-wit- 
nesses, would  on  the  whole  be  the  most  satisfactory  to  the  public 


VERNON. 

In  this  town  there  are  two  Presbyterian  Societies,  designated  by  the 
names  of  Vernon  Centre,  and  Mount  Vernon. 

Vernon  Centre. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  under  whose  labours  the  revival  in  this  place 
commenced,  being  absent,  the  following  facts  were  communicated  by 
a  respectable  member  of  the  church,  in  September  last : — 

The  revival  commenced  here  in  August,  1 825.  The  number  of  hope- 
ful converts  is  not  far  from  one  hundred  and  sixty-four.  The  number 
admitted  to  the  church  is  one  hundred  and  three.  Twenty-seven  of 
these  are  heads  of  families.  The  converts  are  among  all  classes  and 
all  ages,  from  8  to  70.  The  youngest  admitted  to  the  church  is 
about  ten  years  of  age.  Several  of  these  formerly  professed  to  believe  • 
in  universalism,  and  two  were  Roman  Catholics.  Only  one  among  the 
hopeful  converts,  to  my  knowledge,  has  turned  back. 

The  means  which  have  been  blessed,  were  fasting  and  prayer-  preach- 
ing  the  plain  truth  and  the  whole  truth  of  the  bible,  visiting  from  house 
to  house,  and  meetings  of  inquiry.  The  church  have  been  united  in  the 
work,  with  the  exception  of  one  member,  who  has  since  proved  that  he 
is  not  a  member  of  the  church  of  Christ.  Great  care  has  been  taken 
to  have  the  rooms,  in  which  meetings  were  held  in  the  evening,  well 
lighted,  and  furnished  with  convenient  seats.  Means  have  been  varied 
according  to  circumstances.  Sometimes  a  dead  silence  in  a  conference* 
meeting  for  two  or  three  minutes,  when  Christians  offered  up  one  uni- 
ted supplication  for  the  out-pouring  of  the  Spirit,  has  been  greatly  bless- 
ed.    But  what  has  appeared  to  me  most  useful-  is  a  humbte  reliance 


»rj  the  Lord,  an  undoubting  faith  in  his  promises,  working  just  as  though 
<vc  could  convert  sinners  ;  knowing  and  feeling  at  the  same  time,  that 
it  is  Christ  alone  who  can  change  the  heart,  and  giving  to  him  all  the 
glory. 

Our  meetings  of  inquiry  have  been  continued  up  to  the  prasent  time* 
and  of  late  have  much  increased  in  numbers  and  solemnity.  Several 
instances  of  conversion  have  recently  occurred.  Appearances  are  fa- 
vorable, and  we  arc  still  hoping  to  see  great  things  among  us.  The  op- 
position is  great.  It  seems  as  though  Satan  had  here  centered  his 
legions.  Our  minister  has  been  threatened  with  horse-whipping.  The 
active  members  of  the  church  have  met  with  personal  abuse,  and  the 
worst  of  Billingsgate  language.  Among  the  most  violent  in  the  oppo- 
sition are  two  peace-officers !  But  none  of  these  things  move  them. 
They  still  live  and  pray  ;  and  some  of  the  church  manifest  an  increas- 
ing zeal  in  the  cause  of  God.  Numbers  attend  our  anxious  meetings-* 
and  many  of  them  arc  under  deep  impressions. 

Mount  Vernon. 

The  following  particulars  are  from  the  Rev.  Calvin  Bushnell,  pas.tor 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  received  about  the  1st  of  October  : — 

The  revival  commenced  among  my  people  about  the  middle  of  No- 
vember. It  was  gradual,  and  did  not  become  general,  till  the  latter  part 
of  December.  The  number  of  hopeful  converts  is  about  one  hundred 
and  forty.  Fifty-nine  have  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church  ;  about 
thirty  with  the  Baptist  church  ;  and  some  with  the  Methodists.  A 
number  have  not  yet  united  with  any  church.  The  means  are  essential- 
ly the  same  as  in  former  revivals,  viz  :  preaching,  fasting,  and  prayer  ; 
visiting  from  house  to  house,  meetings  of  inquiry?  and  conference  meet- 
ings. Among  Christians,  a  good  degree  of  harmony  and  brotherly  lore 
prevails,  considerable  fervency  in  prayer,  and  fidelity.  There  are  few*  r 
.symptoms  of  apostacy  among  the  hopeful  converts,  for  the  time,  than  I 
have  witnessed  in  any  former  revival  among  this  people. 

The  revival,  at  its  commencement,  was  characterized  by  a  remarka- 
ble tenderness  of  spirit  among  Christians,  and  a  disposition  to  confess 
their  faults  one  to  another.  There  was  a  season  of  great  searchings  of 
heart,  such  as  I  never  before  witnessed*  Many  old  professors  were  so 
fried  as  to  give  up  their  former  hopes,  and,  as  it  was  said,  obtained  new 
ones.  The  work  was  also  characterized  by  a  more  ardent  and  per&e- 
vfrinsr  spirit  of  prayer,  than  I  had  over  before  witnessed.     Thr  converts, 


n  no  have  united  with  the  church,  1  must,  say,  give  as  good  evidence  of 
deep  and  thorough  conviction  of  sin,  and  real  conversion  to  God,  as  in 
any  revival  with  which  I  have  been  acquainted  ;  and  nothing  of  an 
opposite  character  has  as  yet  appeared.  Whether  they  are  real  con- 
verts or  not,  God  only  knows. 

WESTMORELAND. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Crane  being  absent  on  a  journey  for  his  health,  tire 
following  facts  were  communicated  in  October,  by  a  respectable  young 
man,  a  member  of  Hamilton  College,  who  spent  some  time  in  this  place 
during  the  revival : — 

During  the  summer  of  1825,  the  state  of  religion  in  this  town  was  ve- 
ry low.  A  dark  and  gloomy  cloud  had  gathered,  and  was  hanging  over 
it  with  discouraging  aspect.  The  wicked  had  become  bold  in  their 
transgressions,  and  the  friends  of  Zion  had  "  hung  their  harps  upon  the 
willows."  While  in  this  situation,  the  joyful  tidings  came,  that  the 
church  at  Vernon  Centre  was  enjoying  "  a  refreshing  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord."  A  few  went  over  to  see,  and  returned  with  a  new  spirit. 
Christians  began  to  pray  with  more  fervour.  About  the  1st  of  Novem- 
ber, the  church  set  apart  a  day  for  fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer.  The 
searching  influences  of  the  Spirit  were  felt  by  many  of  the  brethren  and 
sisters.  Our  conferences  and  prayer-meetings  soon  became  crowded 
and  solemn.  Numbers  were  deeply  convicted,  and  the  work  of  grace 
steadily  progressed  through  the  winter.  The  pastor  and  some  of  the 
members  of  the  church  visited  from  house  to  house.  In  all  our  meet- 
ings the  distinguishing  truths  of  the  bible  were  urged  with  all  possible 
plainness.  The  instructions  of  the  Sabbath  school  have  been  blessed. 
Eight  of  the  teachers,  and  thirty-four  of  the  scholars,  have  become  pious. 
The  whole  number  of  hopeful  converts  is  about  eighty.  Sixty  have 
united  with  the  Presbyterian  church  ;  and  a  few  with  the  Baptists  and 
Methodists.  The  work,  we  believe,  has  not  wholly  subsided.  There 
are  Christians  who  are  pressed  in  spirit,  and  pleading  with  importu- 
nity that  the  Lord  would  continue  his  work  of  grace. 


SKENANDOAH. 

The  revival  in  Vernon  extended  to  the  little  church  in  this  place, 
under  the  preaching  of  the  Rev.  Phinehas  Robinson,  who  in  Septem- 
ber communieated  the  following  facts :— 


The  village  of  Skenandoah  participated  in  some  degree  in  the  divine 
influence  which  has  oflate  been  so  signally  enjoyed.  The  heterogene* 
ous  character  of  its  population  renders  it  an  unpromising  field  for  mor- 
al cultivation.  The  church  has  ever  been  weak,  and  few  in  number. 
The  moral  and  religious  aspect  of  the  church  and  society,  in  November 
last,  was  deplorable.  This  was  made  the  subject  of  animadversion  in 
public  discourses  at  that  time.  Professing  Christians  were  warned  of 
the  danger  of  self-deception.  The  great  responsibility  connected  with 
their  profession  was  repeatedly  enforced.  They  began  to  examine 
themselves,  and  to  manifest  increasing  sensibility.  Discipline  was  ad- 
ministered, a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  was  observed,  and  a  spirit  of  in- 
quiry began  to  extend  among  those,  who  hitherto  had  been  unconcern- 
ed. Plain  and  solemn  addresses  to  church  members,  respecting  their 
sin9  and  obligations,  had  more  effect  on  unbelievers  than  any  other 
means  whatever.  During  the  excitement  there  were  frequent  meetings 
in  the  week,  as  well  as  on  the  Sabbath.  They  were  characterized  by  a 
great  stillness,  and  a  deep  and  awful  solemnity.  Fervent  prayer,  and 
visiting  from  house  to  house,  were  among  the  means  most  blessed. 
Many,  by  being  visited,  were  led  to  attend  upon  the  means  of  grace,  who 
had  wholly  neglected  them.  The  number  of  hopeful  conversions  were 
indeed  few,  in  comparison  with  the  rich  harvest  of  souls  gathered  in 
many  larger  societies.  About  fifteen  is  the  probable  number.  Most 
of  these  were  heads  of  families,  from  30  to  40  years  of  age.  When  it 
is  considered,  that  this  little  number  was  gathered  from  a  small  obscure 
village,  which  had  enjoyed  few  religious  privileges  ;  that  most  of  them 
were  heads  of  families,  training  up  a  numerous  offspring  ;  that  most  of 
them  were  Dutch  families,  without  an  English  education,  and  never  be- 
fore visited  by  a  clergyman  with  a  view  to  their  spiritual  interests — the 
heart  of  piety  will  surely  derive  no  small  pleasure  from  the  fact,  that 
this  little  number  have  been  translated  from  the  kingdom  of  darkness 
mto  the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son. 


WESTERN. 

Tiik  following  facts  respecting  the  revival  in  Western,  were  furnish- 
ed by  the  Rev.  George  W.  Gale,  who,  on  account  of  his  health,  remov- 
ed there  a  little  more  than  a  year  ago,  and  whose  counsel  and  occasional 
labours  have  been  a  great  blessing  to  the  people  : — 

The  moral  condiiionof  this  town,  which  has  always  been  dark-  w**» 


'  unusually  so  previous  to  the  late  revival.  People  might  be  seen  111  al 
most  every  direction,  pursuing  their  business  or  their  pleasure  on  tliu 
Sabbath,  while  few  repaired  to  the  house  of  God,  to  offer  their  devotions 
to  him  who  hath  said — "Thou  shalt  keep  my  Sabbaths,  and  reverence 
my  sanctuary."  The  establishment  of  a  flourishing  Sabbath  school, 
and  of  prayer-meetings,  were  regarded  as  favourable  tokens,  by  those 
who  observed  the  signs  of  the  times,  that  God  was  about  to  "turn  the 
captivity  of  Zion." 

On  the  last  of  September,  1825,  the  Rev.  Charles  G.  Finney  arrived 
in  town,  (after  a  short  visit  to  recruit  his  health  in  this  county),  on  his 
way  to  the  county  of  St.  Lawrence,  where  he  had  been  labouring  with 
success,  and  where  the  people  were  anxiously  waiting  his  return.  The 
urgent  request  of  those  who  w^ere  mourning  over  these  desolations,  that 
he  would  tarry  here  for  a  season,  induced  him,  after  some  deliberation, 
to  stay.  He  commenced  preaching  three  times  on  the  Sabbath,  and  al- 
most every  evening  in  the  week,  in  different  parts  of  the  town,  besides 
visiting  during  the  day  from  house  to  house.  Professors  of  religion  were 
urged  to  "pray  without  ceasing;  believing  the  words  of  our  Lord,  that 
he  is  more  ready  to  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him,  than 
earthly  parents  to  give  good  gifts  to  their  children."  Sinners  were 
pressed  with  the  duty  of  immediate  repentance,  by  every  truth  and  mo- 
tive which  the  word  of  God  presents,  in  language  plain  and  pointed. 
These  efforts  were  not  permitted  to  be  made  in  vain,  even  in  this  un- 
promising field.  Christians  were  humbled  for  their  past  unfaithfulness, 
and  led  to  pray  as  they  had  not  prayed  before.  Sinners  began  to  es- 
quire what  they  must  do.  Convictions  and  conversions  multiplied  and 
spread  through  the  town.  In  some  instances  whole  households  wTere 
converted. 

In  this  interesting  state  of  things,  the  overwhelming  influences  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  in  Rome,  rendered  it  necessary  for  Mr.  Finney  to  spend 
all  his  time  in  that  place.  He  spent  twelve  weeks  here ;  after  which  his 
labours  were  required  in  other  places ;  and  there  has  been  only  occa- 
sional preaching  with  us.  But  meetings  on  the  Sabbath  have  been  kept 
up,  and  prayer -aneetings  in  the  week  in  different  parts  of  the  town. 
Convictions  and  conversions  through  the  winter  and  summer  have  been 
frequently  occurring.  The  number  of  converts  in  this  town,  and  that 
part  of  Lee  where  the  people  attended  meetings  here,  is  supposed  to  Be 
about  one  hundred  and  forty.  Thirty-seven  have  united  with  the  Pres- 
byterian church  on  confession  of  faith ;  a  number  with  other  denomina- 
tions; and  many  have  not  yet  united  with  any  church. 


8 

Mi£  great  variety  of  denominations  in  tins  town  has  seemed  ta  de- 
tract the  minds  of  those  who  have  indulged  a  hope  of  an  interest  in 
<  'hrist,  and  prevented  many  from  uniting  with  any  church.  This,  to- 
gether with  the  prevalence  of  universalism,  unitarianism,  deism,  great 
ignorance  of  divine  things,  and  the  habits  of  utter  neglect  and  even 
contempt)  with  many,  of  the  institutions  of  religion,  present  powerful 
obstacles  to  the  progress  of  vital  godliness.  The  moral  aspect  which 
this  town  has  presented,  and  which  it  still  presents,  and  must  for  gen- 
erations to  come,  speaks  more  than  volumes  could,  the  importance  of 
♦4  home  missions,"  and  of  making  the  earliest  efforts  to  establish  tlm 
preaching  of  the  gospel  in  every  settlement  in  our  country.  It  is  now 
more  than  thirty  years  since  this  rich  and  populous  town  was  first  set- 
tled, and  only  nine  years  since  the  Presbyterian  church  was  organized, 
and  a  house  erected  for  public  worship ;  and  this  was  done  through  the 
labours  of  a  missionary.  The  means  which  God  has  blessed  here,  have 
been  similar  to  those  employed  in  adjacent  places.  Prayer  has  been  sig- 
nally answered.  While  Christians  have  been  praying,  convicted  sinners 
have  frequently  found  peace  in  believing.  Most  of  those  who  give  evi- 
dence of  reconciliation  to  God,  are  among  that  class  who  have  rever- 
enced the  institutions  of  religion,  and  the  greater  part  are  among  the- 
young.  Several  are  quite  young,  even  down  to  ten  years  of  age.  Most 
of  them  were  religiously  educated.  A  few  advanced  in  life  give  satis- 
factory evidence  of  a  saving  change,  which,  while  it  shows  the  danger 
of  delay,  teaches  us  not  to  limit  the  grace  of  God,  nor  wholly  to  despair 
even  of  the  aged. 

One  instance  has  occurred  in  this  town  worthy  of  notice.  It  is  the 
widow  of  the  late  Gen.  Floyd,  who  was  known  as  a  revolutionary  officer 
and  signer  of  the  declaration  of  independence.  The  General  was  skep- 
tical on  the  subject  of  religion.  Mrs.  Floyd,  till  of  late,  entertained  sim- 
ilar views.  For  a  year  or  two  past,  her  sentiments  have  changed,  and 
she  has  felt  the  importance  of  an  interest  in  the  Saviour.  But  it  was 
not  until  the  late  revival,  that  she  has  been  enabled  to  cast  herself  upon 
the  grace  of  a  Saviour.  And  now,  with  a  mind  remarkably  preserve<3 
and  vigorous,  though  nearly  eighty  years  of  age,  and  perfectly  blind,  she 
grasps  firmly  the  promises  of  God,  and  rejoices  in  the  hope  of  salvation 
through  the  Redeemer.* 

*  Decreased  -since  the  above  was  written. 


LEE. 

The  revival  extended  from  Western  into  Lee.  The  following  facta 
were  communicated  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Snow,  in  October  : — 

The  revival  commenced  here  about  the  first  of  January.  Many  young 
people  were  deeply  impressed  under  the  means  of  grace.  Requests  for 
the  prayers  of  Christians,  from  those  under  conviction,  were  frequent. 
At  a  prayer-meeting  one  evening,  the  Lord  was  in  the  midst  of  us  of  a 
truth.  It  was  the  most  solemn  meeting  I  ever  witnessed.  Ten*  or  elev- 
en were  in  deep  distress.  Prayers,  which  seemed  to  reach  within  the 
veil,  were  offered  for  them,  and  the  mourning  of  several  was  turned  in- 
to thanksgiving  before  the  meeting  closed.  There  are  about  fifty  hopeful 
converts ;  ten  only  have  yet  united  with  the  church. 

We  request  Christians  to  remember  us  in  their  prayers,  tli3t  God  would 
not  take  his  Spirit  from  us,  but  revive  his  work,  and  cause  his  people  to 
rejoice. 

ROME. 

The  following  account  of  the  revival  of  religion  in  Rome,  is  irom 
the  Rev.  Moses  Gillet,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  dated  Octo- 
ber 30th  :— 

Gospel  ordinances  have  been  statedly  administered  here  almost  twen 
ty  years.  Several  seasons  of  revival  have  been  enjoyed,  and  the  church 
increased  from  fourteen  members  to  two  hundred  and  twelve.  The  fruits 
of  these  revivals  have  been  manifest  in  the  christian  deportment  of  the 
subjects.  For  a  considerable  time,  however,  previous  to  the  late  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  had  been  in  a  cold,  formal  state.  Meet- 
ings were  well  attended,  and  discipline  administered.  Still  we  ought  to 
confess  with  shame,  that  there  was  much  formality  in  our  worship,  and 
many  faithless  prayers  were  offered  up  to  Him  who  requires  us  to  believe 
with  the  heart. 

In  October,  1825,  a  revival  took  place  in  the  town  of  Western,  under 
the  preaching  of  Mr.  Finney,  the  influence  of  which  was  felt  here.  The 
latter  part  of  November,  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  was  visible  in  the 
conviction  of  sinners  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  called  Wright's 
Settlement.  Meetings  soon  became  very  solemn.  In  about  four  weeks, 
forty  might  be  numbered  as  hopeful  converts  to  Christ.  On  the  last- 
Thursday  but  one,  in  December,  a  church  prayer-meeting  was  held  in 


JO 

the  meeting-house,  which  was  very  solemn  and  interesting.  GreAt 
searchings  of  heart  prevailed  among  professors.  In  the  evening  a  few 
individuals  agreed  to  meet  at  a  private  house,  half  a  mile  out  of  the  vil- 
lage. The  house  was  crowded.  After  prayer,  and  reading  a  passage 
of  scripture,  a  few  remarks  were  made.  One  young  man  was  so  dis- 
tressed as  to  be  unable  to  suppress  his  feelings.  He  was  heard  to  utter 
broken  sentences  of  prayer.  We  united  in  our  supplications  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  and  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  appeared  to  comedown  sud- 
denly in  the  midst  of  us,  and  to  fill  the  room  in  an  astonishing  manner. 
All  present  appeared  confounded.  Old  professors  stood  and  trembled. 
There  was  a  death-like  stillness,  or  solemn  awe,  such  as  I  never  before 
witnessed.  Little  was  said,  except  in  prayer.  The  young  man  was  in 
great  distress  till  toward  morning,  when  he  found  peace  in  believing. 
Great  seriousness  from  this  time  was  manifested. 

Monday  evening,  the  last  week  in  December,  a  meeting  of  inquiry 
was  held  for  convicted  sinners.  Mr.  Finney  came  here  that  evening, 
and  remained  four  weeks,  and  was  a  distinguished  instrument  in  promo- 
ting the  revival.  The  meeting  of  inquiry  was  at  a  private  house, 
and  a  prayer-meeting  at  a  school-house  at  the  same  time.  The  room 
Was  filled  with  inquiring  sinners.  After  prayer,  personal  conversation, 
and  a  short  address,  we  dismissed  them.  Instead  of  retiring,  they  part- 
ly fell  upon  each  other,  and  gave  vent  to  their  feelings  in  sobs  and  groans. 
It  was  with  difficulty  we  prevailed  upon  them  to  retire.  From  this  time 
the  excitement  became  general  in  the  village.  Meetings  were  held  for 
about  five  weeks  in  the  church  every  evening,  and  most  of  the  time  the 
iiouse  was  crowded.  Sometimes  there  was  preaching,  and  sometimes 
only  prayers  with  short  addresses.  Meetings  of  inquiry  were  now  held 
jn  the  day  time,  and  in  some  instances  three  hundred  and  upwards  have 
attended.  Great  stillness  and  solemnity  prevailed  till  the  close,  when 
sometimes  there  would  be  a  burst  of  feeling  in  groans  and  loud  weeping. 
We  urged  them  to  retire,  telling  them  that  they  must  look  to  Christ ;  that 
their  impenitent  tears  would  not  save  them.  When  not  engaged  in  meet- 
ing, we  visited  from  house  to  house.  We  often  found  sinners  in  great 
agony  of  mind,  and  Christians  in  almost  equal  agony,  praying  for  them. 
Although  constantly  engaged,  it  seemed  we  had  little  to  do,  except  to 
look  on  and  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord. 

The  description  here  given  falls  far  short  of  the  reality,  during  the 
greatest  excitement.  Worldly  business  was  to  a  great  extent  suspend- 
ed.    Relrgion  was  the  principal  subject  of  conversation  m  our  streets 


11 

stores,  and  even  taverns.  Merchants'  and  mechanics'  shops  were  ma* 
ny  of  them  closed  in  the  evening,  that  all  might  attend  meeting.  In- 
stances of  hopeful  conversion  were  most  frequent  about  the  second  week 
in  January.  At  two  different  times,  it  appeared  that  more  than  twenty 
were  hopefully  converted  in  twenty-four  hours.  All  classes  of  people 
were  affected.  Many  who  had  regularly  attended  public  worship  for 
twenty  years,  and  lived  through  revivals  unmoved,  were  now  made  to 
tremble  and  bow  to  the  cross.  Four  lawyers,  four  physicians,  all  the 
merchants  who  were  not  professors  before,  and  men  of  the  first  respect- 
ability in  the  place,  are  hopeful  converts. 

Sabbath  schools  have  been  established  here  nearly  ten  years.  We 
iiave  now  evidence  that  the  seed  of  the  word  has  not  been  sown  in  vain. 
More  than  one  hundred  and  thirty,  who  have  attended  these  schools,  are 
hopeful  subjects  of  renewing  grace.  Children  from  nine  to  twelve 
years  of  age  give  evidence  of  piety,  and  their  promptness  in  applying 
passages  of  scripture  is  truly  striking. 

During  the  greatest  excitement  there  was  little  open  opposition* 
Scoffers  were  confounded :  Universalists  trembled.  Some  renounced 
their  sentiments,  and  were  brought  to  repentance.  The  moralist  was 
stripped  of  his  vain  covering,  and  led  to  beg  for  mercy.  Great  is  the 
change.  "It  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes."  In 
March,  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  were  received  into  the  church  upon 
profession  of  faith.  The  whole  number  received  is  two  hundred  and 
eighty-four.  Upwards  of  thirty  have  united  with  the  Methodist  church, 
and  some  with  the  Baptists  and  Episcopalians.  The  number  of  hope- 
ful converts  cannot  be  accurately  stated.  Probably  not  far  from  five 
hundred.  Some  of  them  were  from  adjacent  towns.  A  number  who 
have  expressed  hopes  here,  have  not  yet  united  with  any  church. 

During  the  spring  and  summer  past,  meetings  have  been  held  every 
evening  in  the  week.  For  eleven  months  there  has  been  no  time  when 
sinners  were  not  under  conviction,  and  but  few  weeks  without  instances 
of  hopeful  conversion.  Meetings  of  inquiry  are  continued,  and  a  spirit 
of  fervent  prayer  still  prevails. 

Some  additional  remarks  respecting  this  work  of  God  may  be  useful. 
After  the  revival  in  Western  commenced,  it  became  a  subject  of  conver- 
sation in  Rome,  and  many  professors  and  others  attended.  Christians 
returned,  feeling  that  something  must  be  done.  Our  prayer-meetings 
became  large  and  solemn.     Directions  were  given  to  pray  for  a  definite 


\2 

ttojecl  tor  Uic  influence  of  die  Spirit,  to  revive  Christians  and  con verj 
sinners.  There  was  such  wrestling  and  agony  in  prayer  as  we  had  never 
before  witnessed.  Christians  viewed  their  impenitent  connexions  and 
neighbours)  as  standing  on  the  brink  of  hell,  and  that  nothing  but  the 
mercy  of  Cod  could  save  them.  They  prayed  as  tho'  they  could  not  be 
denied.  They  seemed  to  take  hold  of  the  promises  of  God  to  prayer, 
with  strong  faith.  In  little  praying  circles  intercessions  were  made  for  in- 
di\  iduals  by  name.  Striking  answers  appeared  to  be  given.  In  the  lan- 
guage of  the  prophet,  it  might  be  said,  "As  soon  as  Zion  travailed,  she 
bro't  forth  her  children."  Christians  seemed  to  plead  with  God,  as  a  child 
would  plead  vvith  his  parent ;  and  they  found  him  more  ready  to  give; 
the  Holy  Spirit,  than  earthly  parents  to  give  good  gifts  to  their  children. 
Indeed,  the  great  instrument  in  this  glorious  work  has  been  prayer. 
Christians  seemed  to  believe  both  the  promises  and  threatenings  of  God, 
and  in  view  of  them  have  wrestled  at  the  throne  of  grace  until  they  pre- 
vailed. The  word  of  God,  in  sermons,  short  addresses,  at  prayer-meet- 
ings, and  in  private  conversation,  has  had  a  powerful  effect  in  convicting 
sinners  of  their  great  guilt,  and  desert  of  eternal  punishment.  Tho 
(ruths  brought  into  view  are  such  as  have  generally  been  termed  the 
doctrines  of  grace.  The  justice,  purity  and  binding  nature  of  the  di- 
vine law,  with  its  awful  penalty-  have  been  exhibited  with  great  clearness. 
The  sins  of  the  heart  have  been  exhibited,  not  merely  for  transgressing 
the  law,  but  for  rejecting  mercy,  for  not  repenting  and  turning  to  God. 
Christ  has  been  exhibited  as  the  only  and  all-sufficient  Saviour.  Re- 
pentance and  faith  have  been  urged  continually  upon  sinners,  as  their 
immediate  duty ;  that  they  were  without  excuse  for  not  complying  with 
these  requirements.  Convictions  have  been  more  sudden  and  more 
pungent  than  we  have  witnessed  in  former  revivals.  Sinners  in  some 
instances  have  trembled  through  their  whole  frame,  in  view  of  their 
guilt,  and  the  impending  wrath  of  God;  though  in  no  instance,  to  my 
knowledge,  was  bodily  strength  wholly  suspended.  And  however  strango 
at  may  appear,  when  sinners  have  thus  been  filled  with  mental  agony, 
and  bodily  agitation,  they  have  complained  that  they  had  no  feeling,  tnat 
their  hearts  were  hardened.  It  was  not  necessary  to  teach  them  that 
there  was  an  eternal  hell.  They  felt,  that  without  a  change  of  heart, 
there  could  be  no  heaven  for  them.  Convicted  sinners  were  exhorted 
to  submit  themselves  to  God.  They  were  told  they  must  repent  or  per- 
ish ;  that  they  must  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  or  be  damned  ; 
that  their  impenitent  groans,  and  tears,  and  prayers,  could  not  save  them. 
Iv.prv  false  dependence  was  torn  away  as  soon  as  possible.     Often  would 


13 

ii,,-v  ,av — ••VVr  cannot  change  our  own  hearts.''     The  command  rcas 

urged — 1«  Make  you  a  new  heart  and  a  new  spirit,  for  why  will  ye  dip  .'"" 
Xo  allowance  was  given  to  wait  God's  time.  They  were  told — "Now 
is  the  accepted  time  ;  now  is  the  day  of  salvation  ;"  that  the  longer  they 
continued  impenitent,  the  greater  their  guilt,  the  more  danger  of  becom- 
ing hardened,  of  grieving  the  Spirit,  and  of  dying  without  hope. 

Meetings  of  inquiry  have  apparently  been  a  powerful  means  of  bring- 
ing sinners  to  repentance.  When  hundreds  have  attended,  there  would 
be  a  death-like  stillness,  and  great  solemnity  in  almost  every  countenance. 
They  were  conversed  with  individually,  and  such  instruction  given  as 
their  case  seemed  to  require.  Often  at  the  close  of  such  meetings,  they 
manifested  such  strong  desire  to  remain,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to 
exhort  them  to  retire  and  give  their  hearts  to  God.  In  many  instances, 
convicted  sinners  have,  apparently,  been  born  again,  while  praying. 
While  praying  for  themselves,  they  would  be  heard  pleading  for  others, 
without  expressing  any  hope  ;  though  in  a  short  time  light  would  break 
in.  and  they  would  have  peace  in  believing.  Converts  have  been  fervent 
in  prayer,  and  many  of  them  active  instruments  in  the  conversion  of 
others. 

It  will  doubtless  be  asked,  with  no  ordinary  interest — What  are  the 
fruits  of  this  revival  ?  Three  or  four  instances  of  backsliding  have  oc- 
curred. One  has  been  suspended  for  intemperance.  These  cases 
are  to  be  lamented,  and  we  hope  will  humble  the  church,  while  sinners 
may  pervert  them  to  their  own  hurt.  In  general,  the  subjects  appear  as 
well,  if  not  better,  than  in  former  revivals,  which  I  have  witnessed.  A 
marked  reformation  in  morals  is  too  apparent  to  be  denied.  The  Sab- 
bath is  more  strictly  observed.  Intemperance  and  profane  swearing  are 
checked.  More  good  feeling  in  neighbourhoods  and  families  prevails. 
The  church  is  blessed  with  peace  and  harmony.  It  may  be  said  in  truth, 
these  Christians  love  one  another.  May  it  be  our  prayer,  that  no  root 
of  bitterness  may  spring  up  to  trouble  us  ;  but  that  we  may  "  keep  the 
unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace." 


VERONA. 

From  Rome  the  revival  extended  into  the  society  of  the  Rev.  Israel 
Brainerd,  by  whom  the  following  facts  were  communicated  in  Novem? 
feer:— 

The  fir?t  appearance  of  any  special  attention  to  religion  among  this 


14 

people,  was  -ai  an  evening  meeting  the  last  week  in  December.  Pre- 
irious  to  this  some  unhappy  contentions  and  animosities  had  taken  place, 
and  means  had  been  used  to  remove  these  evils,  and  many  confessions 
had  been  made.  At  this  meeting  there  was  uncommon  solemnity,  and 
one  person  was  under  deep  conviction.  From  this  period,  the  work 
gradually  increased  for  a  number  of  weeks  ;  and  conversions  occurred 
every  week,  till  the  attention  of  the  people  in  general  was  arrested. 
But  in  one  school  district,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  there  was  the 
greatest  display  of  divine  grace.  At  an  evening  meeting,  in  a  private 
house,  the  impression  made  on  the  congregation  was  astonishing.  A 
number  fell,  and  some  were  unable  to  go  from  the  place  till  morning. 
In  this  district,  in  the  course  of  three  weeks,  there  was  about  fifty  hope- 
ful conversions.  During  the  revival  there  was  a  remarkable  quickening 
of  professors.  They  would  give  up  their  hopes,  and  obtain  new  ones, 
and  engage  in  the  work  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  The  number  of  con- 
verts in  the  town  is  about  one  hundred.  Some  of  these  are  without  the 
bounds  of  my  society,  and  some  belong  to  Methodist  and  Baptist  fam- 
ilies, and  have  united  with  those  denominations.  Twenty-eight,  on  ex- 
amination, have  united  with  my  church.  There  are  about  twenty  more 
in  my  congregation  that  have  manifested  hope,  who  have  not  united. 

Some  unhappy  events  occurred  during  the  revival,  which  gave  a 
,check  to  the  work,  from  which  it  never  recovered.  A  false  and  scan- 
dalous pamphlet  was  put  in  circulation,  against  the  church  and  pastor, 
by  a  member  who  had  been  recently  excommunicated  for  unchristian 
conduct,  which  excited  some  conversation,  and  directed  in  some  degree 
the  attention  of  the  people  from  the  great  things  of  religion.  A  certain 
preacher,  who  had  spoken  against  the  revival,  was  invited  to  preach  in 
the  district  where  there  had  been  the  most  attention.  There  were  fen 
if  any  instances  of  awakening  and  conversion  after  this  period. 


CAMDEN. 

The  following  facts,  respecting  the  revival  in  Camden,  were  commu- 
nicated in  November,  by  Mr.  Kellogg,  who  has  been  supplying  the  pul- 
pit of  the  Rev.  Henry  Smith,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  society,  during 
his  absence  on  a  visit  in  New-Hampshire  : — 

The  revival  in  this  place  commenced  about  the  1st  of  January.  The 
pastor  of  this  church  and  several  of  the  brethren  visited  Rome,  to  wit- 
ness God's  mighty  work.     They  were  refreshed-  and  returned  impressed 


1J 

With  the  importance  of  a  revival  in  this  place.  They  endeavoured,  by 
prayer  and  exhortation,  to  arouse  their  brethren.  About  this  time,  the' 
Rev.  Mr.  Nash  visited  this  place.  His  efforts  were  directed  to  the 
church,  pressing  them  to  repent  and  awake  to  duty.  His  efforts  were 
blessed,  and  the  church  entered  into  a  covenant  to  pray  that  God  would 
revive  his  work.  There  was  a  season  of  deep  heart-searching  in  the 
church.  Convictions  were  soon  visible  among  the  impenitent,  and  in- 
creased until  the  excitement  became  general,  and  a  number  were  hope- 
fully converted.  About  the  middle  of  February,  when  the  influenza  be- 
came very  prevalent,  the  attention  declined,  and  fears  were  entertained 
that  the  work  would  stop.  A  few  of  the  brethren  betook  themselves  to 
the  throne  of  grace,  and  wrestled  with  God  in  prayer,  believing.  The 
work  revived,  and  prevailed  with  overwhelming  power.  During  two 
weeks  in  April,  between  sixty  and  seventy  were  hopefully  converted. 
After  this  the  work  declined  in  power  ;  but  has  continued  through  the 
summer,  up  to  the  present  time.  The  converts,  generally,  appear  to 
be  stedfast,  growing  in  knowledge  tnd  grace. 

The  means  which  were  most  blessed  of  God,  were  the  faithful  preach- 
ing of  the  word — the  naked  truth — not  only  in  the  desk,  but  from  house 
to  house.  In  visiting,  the  pastor  was  assisted  by  many  of  the  brethren. 
The  greatest  plainness  of  speech  was  used  in  conversing  with  individu- 
als. These  means  were  used  in  humble  dependence  on  the  Spirit  of 
God,  manifested  in  fervent  prayer  for  his  blessing.  Christians  prayed 
as  they  had  never  done  before.  They  were  distressed  and  weighed 
down  with  agonizing  pains,  especially  in  the  closet,  pleading  the  prom- 
ises of  God — believing  them.  Answers  to  prayer  were  manifest.  Num- 
bers were  converted,  while  prayer  was  offered  up  for  them,  individually. 
Young  converts  engaged  with  zeal  in  the  work,  and  partook  of  the  same 
spirit  of  prayer.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  have  united  with  the 
Presbyterian  church.  A  number  have  united  with  the  Methodists. 
Many  give  evidence  of  a  saving  change,  who  have  not  yet  united  with 
any  church ;  and  many  strangers  and  visitors  from  abroad  were  hopeful- 
ly the  subjects  of  renewing  grace.* 

*  This  town  is  in  Oneida  county  ;  but  the  church  is  connected  with  Ostve- 
450  Presbytery. 

BOONVILLE. 

In  this  place  the  people  have  not  been  able  to  support  a  minister- 
^vithout  aid  from  missionary  societies.     The  population  is  scattered- 


•IV 

a«d  the  peoplf  arc  much  divided  in  religious  sentiment ;  and  many  ii&\  e 
cared  for  none  of  these  things.  The  following  account  of  the  late  re- 
vival is  an  abstract  of  a  communication  from  the  Rev.  Ira  Manly,  who 
has  supplied  the  Presbyterian  church  in  that  place,  for  a  few  years  past : 

At  a  preparatory  lecture  in  December  of  last  year,  parents  were  re- 
quested  to  bring  with  them  their  baptized  children.  The  text  selected 
for  the  occasion  was — "  Come  thou  and  all  thy  house  into  the  ark."  An 
unusual  degree  of  feeling  and  solemnity  was  manifested.  Not  long  af- 
ter this,  I  went  to  visit  a  family,  in  which  three  of  the  members  were 
dangerously  sick.  I  was  not  permitted  to  see  the  sick  and  converse  with 
them.  Returning  home,  I  reflected  that  it  would  be  wise  to  exhorL  ♦hose 
who  were  well,  and  whom  it  could  not  injure.  I  accordingly  commen- 
ced a  course  of  visiting  and  exhortation,  which  I  continued  through  the 
winter.  About  this  time,  also,  I  received  an  account  of  the  revival  in 
Rome,  from  two  of  our  young  men,  who  had  been  there  on  a  visit,  and 
had  become  hopeful  subjects  of  grace.  Their  warmth  and  zeal  were  a 
blessing  to  me.  The  next  evening,  in  meeting,  I  gave  an  account  of 
the  revival  in  Rome.  It  was  attended  with  a  divine  impulse.  From 
that  time  our  meetings  increased,  till  they  were  full  to  overflowing. — 
Presbyterians,  Baptists  and  Methodists,  rushed  together,  and  seemed  to 
participate  of  the  same  spirit.  We  endeavoured  to  avoid  exciting  any 
party  feeling.  Soon  after  the  revival  commenced,  a  season  for  fasting 
and  prayer  was  appointed,  and  measures  were  adopted  to  bring  all  the 
professors  of  religion  to  engage  in  the  work.  The  preaching  was  plain 
and  pointed.  Prayers  were  much  more  fervent  than  usual.  Ministers 
from  abroad  preached  with  much  engagedness.  Meetings  of  inquiry 
were  attended  with  great  interest.  Members  of  the  church  agreed  to 
pray  three  times  daily  for  the  out-pouring  of  the  Spirit.  Family  visits 
were  made*.  A  young  man  from  Hamilton  College  gave  us  considera- 
ble aid,  in  exhortation,  prayer  and  visiting.  Some  other  young  men  al- 
so were  useful.  Conversions  became  frequent.  This  state  of  things 
continued  with  some  variation  till  April.  Some  party  feelings  began  to 
appear,  and  the  Spirit  seemed  in  a  great  degree  to  withdraw.  Sixty-sev- 
en have  been  added  to  the  Presbyterian  church.  Several  have  united 
with  the  Methodists,  and  some  with  the  Baptists.  The  whole  number  of 
converts  is  probably  towards  one  hundred.  The  converts,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions, are  attentive  to  the  means  of  grace.  Many  of  them  are  much 
engaged  in  prayer,  and  most  are  willing,  when  called  upon,  to  take  part 
in  this  duty.  In  the  midst  of  means,  God  has  shown  us  that  the  work 
is  his,  lest  any  man  should  boast.     It  is  manifest,  however,  that  if  our 


J7 

churches  would  enjoy  his  special  presence,    they  must,  put  away  sin 
and  walk  in  the  way  of  his  commandments.     Among  the  fruits  of  the 
revival  are  two  flourishing  Sabbath  schools,  a  bible  class,  and  a   tract 
society. 

WHITESTOWN. 

There  are  two  Presbyterian  societies  in  this  town,  one  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Whitesborough,  and  the  other  in  the  village  of  New  Hartford. 

Whitesborough. 

The  following  facts  were  furnished  by  the  Rev.  John  Frost,  in  No- 
vember : — 

It  is  thirteen  years  last  March,  since  I  was  ordained  over  the  Presby- 
terian church  in  this  place.  Previously  to  this,  the  members  here  and 
at  Utica  composed  one  church,  and  their  pastor,  Rev.  Jonas  Carnahan, 
preached  alternately  at  each  place.  When  the  church  was  divided,  there 
were  about  fifty  members  living  here.  Most  were  females.  There 
were  only  four  male  members  in  the  village.  The  society  was  feeble. 
There  was  a  respectable  Baptist  society  in  the  place.  No  general  re- 
vival had  ever  occurred.  During  the  first  four  years  of  my  ministry, 
there  was  a  general  work  of  grace,  which  brought  into  the  church 
eighty-three  members.  The  two  succeeding  years  there  was  no  special 
seriousness.  In  1819  and  1821,  greater  revivals  occurred  than  any  be- 
fore. As  the  fruits  of  these,  one  hundred  and  eleven  united  with  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  many  with  the  Baptist  church.  During  the 
three  succeeding  years,  scarcely  an  instance  of  conversion  occur- 
red. In  the  latter  part  of  December,  1824,  the  day  preparatory  to 
the  communion  was  spent  in  fasting  and  prayer  and  religious  conference. 
The  prominent  sins  of  the  church  were  drawn  up,  and  formally  read 
and  confessed  by  the  whole  body.  Promises  also  were  made  with  res- 
pect to  their  conduct  the  succeeding  year,  such  as  the  following  :--"  We 
Will  make  greater  efforts  to  progress  in  personal  holiness.  We  will 
converse  With  our  brethren  respecting  their  faults,  instead  of  talk- 
ing about  them  to  others.  As  we  have  opportunity,  we  will  converse 
with  our  impenitent  friends  and  others  over  whom  we  may  hope  to  have 
influence,  upon  religion."  On  the  following  Sabbath,  the  first  in  Jan- 
nary,  1 825,  the  church  rose  in  the  midst  of  the  congregation,  and  after 
an  address  to  them,  renewed  their  covenant  with  God  and  each  other.. 
A  deep  solemnity  pervaded  both  the  chifrch  and  congregation.     On 


18 

ihat  daj  sinners  were  awakened.  A  revival  succeeded,  which  continued 
till  the  early  part  of  summer.  As  the  fruits  of  this  revival,  about  forty 
united  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  a  number  with  the  Baptists  and 

Methodists. 

The  greater  part  of  the  subjects  of  these  revivals  have  been  among 
the  younger  classes  of  society.  As  few  cases  of  discipline  have  occurred 
among  them  in  proportion  to  the  number,  as  among  the  old  members 
of  the  church  who  were  professors  when  I  came.  About  half  the  cases 
that  have  occurred  among  both  have  arisen  from  intemperance;  and 
from  my  own  experience  and  observation,  my  impression  is,  that  intem- 
perance is  one  of  the  greatest  sins  with  which  our  church  and  nation  10 
cursed,  and  a  fruitful  source  of  most  of  the  crimes  and  immoralities, 
which  abound  in  our  land. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  summer,  four  bible  classes  were  established. 
The  day  preparatory  to  the  communion  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  the  pres- 
ent year,  was  spent  in  fasting  and  prayer,  and  the  same  promises  renew- 
ed which  were  made  the  preceding  year. 

About  this  time  the  revival  in  Rome  excited  a  deep  interest  here. 
Some  of  the  members  visited  that  place,  and  returned  with  increased 
feeling.  It  had  often  been  a  subject  of  lamentation  in  conversation, 
that  there  were  so  many  heads  of  families  among  us,  who  had  remain- 
ed unmoved  in  all  former  revivals ;  and  Christians  began  now  to  be 
distressed  for  such,  and  the  conversion  of  heads  of  families  be- 
came the  burden  of  their  prayers.  The  fact,  that  many  at  Rome,  of 
the  same  description,  were  the  subjects  of  grace,  strengthened  their 
hope.  Prayer  meetings  in  circles,  composed  of  males  and  females,  at 
different  places,  became  frequent,  and  heads  of  families  were  prayed 
for  individually.  Several  weeks  elapsed  before  any  special  seriousness 
was  visible  in  the  village.  The  church  continued  to  wrestle  with  an 
earnestness  and  an  agony  greater  than  I  had  ever  witnessed  before. 
Some  heads  of  families  were  in  trouble ;  and  such  is  the  fact,  whatev- 
er may  be  the  cause*  that  conversions  in  the  village  commenced  among 
heads  of  families.  The  latter  part  of  February,  the  attention  began  to 
extend,  and  in  March  was  more  powerful  than  any  thing  I  had  witnessed 
here  before.  Many  old  professors  were  convicted,  and  placing  little 
dependence  on  past  experience,  were  anxious  for  present  evidence  of 
repentance  and  reconciliation  to  God  through  the  Redeemer.  Consid- 
erable murmuring  and  some  open  opposition  was  now  manifested.  Mis- 
representations and  falsehoods  were  circulated.     A  lying  spirit  seemed 


19 

ro  possess  some  who  heretofore  were  apparently  free  from  it.  Some 
were  angry  that  individuals  were  the  subjects  of  prayer.  Some  affected 
to  sneer  and  laugh  about  the  serious  and  the  converted.  Some  said  the 
■devil  had  got  into  the  people,  and  others  that  ministers  and  churches 
were  becoming  crazy.  In  this  state  of  things,  the  following  words  were 
the  subjects  of  discourse  on  the  Sabbath — "  Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutes! 
thou  me  ?"  "  Wherefore  do  the  wicked  contemn  God  ?" 

The  following  week  was  the  most  interesting  and  solemn  this  village 
ever  witnessed.  Some  of  the  most  intelligent  and  respectable  people 
in  the  place  were  convicted  of  sin.  Silence  reigned.  No  opposition 
was  heard.  Christians  trembled.  They  felt  that  God  was  here,  and  that 
the  village  was  awed  to  silence  and  prostrated  before  the  majesty  of  his 
character,  and  his  truth  set  home  by  his  own  power.  Never  did  I  feel  my 
own  nothingness  so  sensibly.  I  felt  as  though  all  I  could  do  was  to  urge 
Christians  to  pray,  that  breath  might  enter  these  slain.  I  felt  at  the  same 
time,  as  though  we  were  all  unworthy  to  be  permitted  to  pray  for  such 
a  blessing.  It  semed  as  though  a  still  small  voice  said  to  the  church — 
44  Not  for  your  sakes  do  I  this,  saith  the  Lord  God  ;  be  it  known  unto 
you  ;  be  ashamed  and  confounded  for  your  own  ways."  Many  inter- 
esting cases  of  conversion  now  occurred3  at  which  the  church  wept  and 
angels  rejoiced. 

When  the  business  of  spring  became  pressing,  the  attention  to  re- 
ligion in  some  measure  declined.  But  convictions  and  conversions 
continued  to  occur  through  the  summer.  During  the  summer,  instead 
of  the  little  circles  of  prayer  in  the  evening,  professors  met  at  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  at  the  ringing  of  the  village  bell.  Most  of 
those  who  have  united  with  my  church  have  been  religiously  educated, 
either  in  families,  Sabbath  schools  or  bible  classes,  and  are  among  the 
most  respectable  inhabitants.  One  hundred  and  sixteen  have,  upon  ex- 
amination, united  with  the  Presbyterian  church.  Forty-five  of  them 
are  heads  of  families.  About  one  hundred  have  united  with  the  Metho- 
dists, seventy-eight  with  the  Baptists,  and  three  or  four  with  the  Episco- 
palians. A  number  of  those,  however,  who  have  united  with  the  Meth- 
odists and  Baptists,  live  in  the  limits  of  Mr.  Coe's  society.  The  whole 
number  who  have  indulged  hope  is  not  far  from  three  hundred.  Sev- 
eral, and  especially  among  the  young,  have  not  united.  A  number  who 
visited  the  place  from  abroad  became  subjects.  One  instance  only  of 
backsliding  has  occnred,  among  those  who  have  united  with  our  church- 

The  means  which  have  been  blessed,  were  similar  generallv  to  those. 


20 

mentioned  in  other  place-.  Particular  care  has  been  taken  to  ha- 
our  meetings  closed  at  a  seasonable  hour.  We  have  had  no  contention 
with  other  denomination.-.  Prayers  were  offered  that  none  who  pro- 
'I  to  be  the  disciples  of  Christ,  might  be  left  to  do  anything  to  hin- 
der the  work.  A  more  general  co-operation  in  the  church  has  prevailed 
than  in  former  revivals  ;  and  it  is  believed  that  to  this  fact  it  is  owing, 
in  a  measure,  that  the  revival  has  been  more  extensive  than  formerly. 
All  our  meetings  have  been  orderly  and  solemn.  Converts  have  man- 
it;  -sled  an  unusual  spirit  of  prayer,  and  a  disposition  to  converse  with 
others,  and  have  thus  done  much  to  promote  the  revival.  The  greatest 
warmth  of  feeling,  in  most  cases,  has  been  manifested  by  the  most  in- 
telligent and  well  informed.  The  revival  has  produced  a  moral  change 
in  the  aspect  of  society  visible  to  all.  The  number  who  attend  public 
worship  in  the  church  is  greatly  increased.  Much  harmony  prevails  in 
the  church  and  society.  A  bible  class  has  been  established,  which  is  at- 
tended by  the  elders  and  members  of  the  church,  and  which  promises 
lo  be  highly  useful.  There  are  three  cotton  factories  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, with  which  perhaps  five  hundred  people  are  connected.  The  su- 
perintendents of  these  establishments  are  subjects  of  the  revival,  and 
manifest  a  laudable  zeal  to  preserve  them  from  immoralities,  and  to  fur- 
nish the  children  with  the  means  of  religious  instruction.  Many  con- 
nected with  these  factories  give  evidence  of  repentance.  Not  only 
meetings  were  held  in  the  evening  for  their  benefit ;  but  during  the 
greatest  excitement,  the  factories  were  stopped  in  the  day  time,  for  half 
an  hour,  when  men,  women  and  children  assembled  without  any 
change  of  dress  in  one  room,  many  of  them  in  tears,  and  were  there 
addressed  and  conversed  with  personally,  and  then  knelt  in  prayer 
around  the  machinery.  The  sight  was  affecting,  and  will  never  be  for* 
gotten  by  those  who  witnessed  it. 

i  feel  grateful,  I  trust,  and  my  church  also,  to  all  those  brethren  who 
have  given  me  assistance,  especially  to  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Eells  and 
Hotchkiss,  who  were  here  a  few  weeks  in  the  midst  of  the  revival.  We 
lament  that  Mr.  Finney  could  not  have  spent  a  little  time  with  us  ;  but 
his  labours  were  needed  elsewhere.  The  few  lectures  he  preached 
while  at  Utica  were  useful.  The  best  means,  however,  are  unavailing, 
unless  a  church  are  looking  to  God  in  humble  prayer  for  help.  WThen 
my  own  health  was  wholly  inadequate  to  the  labour  that  appeared  ne- 
cessary, and  when  the  church  was  most  anxious  for  assistance,  it  seem- 
ed as  though  God  constrained  them  to  cast  their  despairing  eyes  to  him 
*lpn*» :  and  lie.  bvthe  conversion  of  *omo  individual  and  hi"  consequent 


21 

exertions  or  in'some  other  unforeseen  way,  supplied  the  deficiency  need- 
ed. I  mention  this,  because  I  never  before  have  been  so  sensibly  im- 
pressed with  the  spiritual  providence  of  God  in  favour  of  his  people  in 
distress  ;  and  never  before  have  I  so  firmly  believed,  that  if  a  church, 
however  weak,  will  go  forward  and  do  what  they  can,  trusting  in  God 
for  help,  that  he  will  give  them  the  aid  they  need,  and  in  a  manner  that 
will,  while  it  humbles,  fill  them  with  admiration  at  his  own  transcendant 
wisdom  and  condescending  grace. 

While  we  are  bound  to  be  grateful  to  the  Father  of  all  mercies,  for 
the  happy  moral  change  which  he  has  effected  here  by  his  grace,  we  have 
much  cause  for  humiliation,  prayer,  and  persevering  exertions.  Feeble 
has  been  the  faith  of  the  most  faithful ;  and  few  and  sluggish  their  exer- 
tions, compared  with  what  are  called  for  by  the  motives  which  the  gos- 
pel presents.  Many  still  remain  among  us,  who  live  as  though  this 
world  were  their  home,  and  "  death  an  eternal  sleep."  The  blessings 
of  providence,  as  well  as  of  grace,  are  still  abused  ;  and  the  intoxicating 
bowl  is  preferred  to  the  cup  of  salvation.  The  hopes  of  many  are, 
that  the  church  will  soon  slumber  again,  and  not  disturb  them  in  their 
pleasures  and  pursuits  by  her  prayers  and  her  intreaties.  May  the  pray- 
er of  the  church  be — «  Grant  not,  OLord,  the  desires  of  the  wicked." 

New  Hartford. 
The  following  account  i3  from  the  Rev.  Noah  Coe  :— 

In  the  congregation  of  New  Hartford,  the  revival  commenced  the 
latter  part  of  February,  and  continued  about  three  months.  The  hope- 
ful subjects  of  regeneration  are  supposed  to  be  about  one  hundred. 
Fifty-six  have  been  received  into  the  Presbyterian  church,  by  examina- 
tion, since  the  1st  of  May  last,  most  of  whom  have  hopefully  experi- 
enced religion  during  this  revival.  A  few  have  united  themselves  with 
other  denominations.  About  two  weeks  before  the  revival  commenced, 
the  pastor  of  the  church,  with  an  elder,  spent  two  days  at  Rome  ;  and 
on  their  return  they  gave  an  account  of  the  work  of  divine  grace  in 
that  village,  which  was  attended  with  a  good  effect.  On  two  occasions 
meetings  of  the  church  were  held,  and  men  and  women  were  called 
upon  to  speak,  if  they  had  any  thing  to  say,  by  way  of  confession,  for 
their  criminal  departure  from  God,  and  in  relation  to  their  present  feel- 
ings for  the  salvation  of  souls.  These  meetings,  it  is  thought,  were 
highly  useful  in  promoting  the  work.  The  labours  of  Mr.  Finney  and 
Mr.  Nash,  the  former  of  whom  preached  six  sermons,  and  attended  the 


,22 

JBQXue  iiumUer  oi'  meetings  of  inquiry,  were  greatly  blessed ;  as  indies* 
meetings  of  inquiry,  it  was  not  uncommon  for  two  or  three  in  every 
meeting  to  submit  their  hearts  to  Christ.  Visiting  from  house  to 
house,  where  there  were  convicted  sinners,  as  often  .as  every  other  day, 
wats  a  means  of  doing  good.  Prayer-meetings  were  very  frequent; 
and  for  a  time,  there  were  many  obvious  answers  given  to  fervent, 
humble,  believing  prayer.  In  no  former  revival  have  the  subjects  ap- 
peared, for  so  long  a  time  after  their  hopeful  conversion,  in  general,  to 
possess  so  much  of  the  spirit  of  religion  ;  and  never  was  the  Presbyteri- 
an congregation  on  the  Sabbath  so  solemn  and  so  interesting,  as  from  the 
commencement  of  the  revival  down  to  the  present  time.  The  enemies 
of  religion  (for  it  is  not  to  be  concealed  that  there  are  in  this  place  Urii- 
versalists,  and  others  of  kindred  sentiments)  have  manifested  very  great 
opposition  to  this  revival,  in  repeatedly  stoning  the  buildings  where  re- 
ligious meetings  were  held,  in  tho  time  of  religious  worship  ;  in  firing 
guns  around  the  meeting-house  during  the  hour  of  preaching  ;  in  sus- 
pending images  from  time  to  time,  with  papers  attached  to  them,  con- 
taining violent  denunciations  against  those  who  were  the  most  promi- 
nent instruments  in  carrying  on  the  revival,  and  in  one  instance  sending 
a  constable  to  bring  before  a  justice  a  young  man,  who  had  been  in  the 
place  but  a  few  days,  under  the  pretext  that  he  was  a  vagrant,  without 
any  visible  means  of  support,  The  work  of  God,  however,  amidst  most 
violent  opposition,  went  forward ;  and  the  effects  most  clearly  prove 
that  it  was  not  the  work  of  man,  but  the  work  of  God,  and  to  him  be 
all  the  glory. 

Perhaps  in  no  place  in  the  county,  in  proportion  to  the  number  of 
inhabitants,  has  the  revival  been  more  powerful  than  at  the  Whitestown 
Factory,  situated  between  Whitesborough  and  New  Hartford.  The  re- 
vival commenced  at  this  place  about  the  1st  of  February,  and  for  a 
number  of  weeks  continued  peculiarly  interesting  ;  and  indeed,  uetil 
about  three  months  since,  there  have  from  time  to  time  been  hopeful 
iustances  of  conversion,  About  fifty  persons  appear  to  have  experi- 
enced religion  during  this  revival,  most  of  whom  have  united  themselves 
with  the  Methodist  church,  w  hich  has  since  been  organized  near  by,  at. 
what  is  called  "  the  York  Mills,"  and  which  now  consists  of  more  than 
one  hundred  members.  The  subjects  of  this  work,  for  the  most  part, 
give  good  evidence  of  piety,  and  appear  to  progress  in  holiness.  At 
the  commencement  of  the  revival,  and  for  a  long  time  afterwards,  a  few 
individuals  were  possessed  with  a  spirit  of  fervent,  agonizing  prayer, 
which  appears  to  hare  called  down  blessings  upon  that  people*     AUtfcat 


2;; 

place  there  are  very  many  hopefully  pious  and  devoted  young  persons',1 
who  we  trust  will  continue  firm  and  steadfast  in  the  practice  of  godli- 


ness. 


UTICA. 

The  following  account  is  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Aikin,  pastor  of  the  1st' 
Presbyterian  church,  and  was  received  in  November  : — 

The  revival  in  Utica  commenced  about  the  1st  of  last  January.     For 
several  weeks  previous,  however,  there  had  been  a  movement  upon  the 
minds  of  the  people  somewhat  uncommon,  that  could  be  seen  on  the  Sab- 
bath and  on  other  days  of  the  week,  in  the  increase  of  numbers  who  at- 
tended meetings,  and  in  their  unusual  solemnity.  To  this  silent  prepara- 
tion for  the  Lord's  appearance,  soon  a  new  impulse  was  given,  by  the  dai- 
ly reports  of  what  was  doing  at  Rome.     Christians  who  visited  that  place 
returned  with  various  feelings.     Some  were  confounded,  and  knew  not 
what  to  say  ;  some  without  hope,  and  in  deep  distress  for  themselves ; 
others  weeping  over  the  state  of  the  church  at  home,  and  anxious  that 
something  should  be  done.     I  resolved  to  call  upon  the  members  of  the 
church,  and  either  by  myself  or  by  the  elders,  most  of  the  members  were 
visited;  and  after  a  short  and  pointed  conversation,  the  visit,  if  practi- 
cable, was  closed  with  prayer,  not  general,  but  adapted  to  the  individu- 
al or  families  conversed  with.     It  now  became  a  time  of  heart-searching 
in  the  chureh.     Almost  daily,  persons  who  had  long  been  professors, 
and  who  had  maintained  a  respectable  standing  in  the  church,  gave  up 
their  hopes,  satisfied  apparently  that  they  had  been  deceived.     Soon* 
numbers  among  the  impenitent  were  awakened ;  but  most  of  them  lin- 
gered along  without  obtaining  relief.     Still  there  was  but  little  of  the 
spirit  of  prayer  in  Zion — but  little  of  the  power  of  supplication  which 
prevails.     Christians,  instead  of  placing  their  confidence  in  God,  were 
looking  to  arms  of  flesh ;  instead  of  having  that  faith  which  creates  e:x* 
pectation  of  a  blessing,  they  were  merely  hoping  it  might  come. 

This  state  of  things  continued  till  about  the  1st  of  February,  when  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Finney  came  to  Utica,  where,  as  in  other  places,  his  plain  and" 
pungent  and  faithful  preaching  was  attended  with  evident  and  wonderful 
success.  Christians  had  been  told  of  their  departures  from  God,  their 
backslidings  in  heart,  their  lukewarmness,  their  love  of  the  world  and 
conformity  to  it,  and  of  the  necessity  of  a  broken  spirit,  of  deep  and  tho- 
rough repentance,  before  they  could  reasonably  expect  a  general  revival 
of  religion.     These  solemn  truths  were  pressed  again  and  again,  and 


24 

hli  >ng  with  them,  the  necessity  of  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  rouse 

them  from  their  slumbers.  Tins  influence  they  were  urged  to  seek,  as 
a  blessing  which  God  has  promised,  and  will  certainly  give  to  those 
who  seek  it  with  faith.  An  humble  and  fervent  spirit  of  prayer,  to  a 
considerable  extent,  gradually  increased  ;  and  as  it  increased,  convic- 
tions and  conversions  took  place  among  the  impenitent.  It  was  not 
long  before  the  work  became  powerful.  Places  of  worship  were  throng- 
ed, and  the  stillness  of  the  sepulclire  reigned,  broken  occasionally  by  a 
deep  sigh  from  some  heart  that  was  writhing  under  the  condemning  in- 
fluence of  divine  truth.  Instead  of  noise  and  confusion,  the  meetings 
were  solemn,  and  sometimes  awfully  so,  by  the  presence  of  God,  which 
made  sinners  "  afraid,"  and  Christians  humble  and  still.  True,  there 
has  been  noise  ;  there  has  been  "  no  small  stir  about  these  things  ;"  but 
it  has  been  on  the  other  side — among  the  enemies  of  the  revival,  as  it 
was  in  the  days  of  the  Apostle. 

The  general  features  of  this  revival  are  the  same  as  have  always  mark- 
ed every  genuine  out-pouring  of  the  Spirit,  since  the  apostolic  age.  I 
shall,  therefore,  not  repeat  them  ;  but  would  here  observe,  that  like 
some  of  the  former  revivals  in  Utica.  this  one  has  been  confined  to  no 
particular  class  in  community.  Its  sweet  and  saving  influence  has  fallen 
upon  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  ignorant  and  the  learned,  and  moulded 
into  its  own  lovely  image,  as  we  humbly  trust,  the  proud  moralist  and 
the  polluted  debauchee.  It  has  made  "  new  creatures"  of  gamblers  and 
drunkards,  and  swrearers  and  Sabbath-breakers,  and  brought  the  self- 
righteous  pharisee,  the  deluded  skeptic,  deist,  and  universalis!,  to  aban- 
don their  dreams  of  happiness  and  heaven,  without  a  holy  heart,  and  to 
fly  for  cleansing  to  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

The  probable  number  of  converts  in  Utica,  is  about  five  hundred. — 
The  number  of  hopeful  converts  in  a  population  like  this,  it  is  not  easy 
definitely  to  ascertain.  Not  far  from  sixty  persons,  some  of  whom  were 
travellers,  who  "  turned  in  to  tarry  but  for  a  night,"  or  day*  or  week  : 
others  belonging  to  the  towns  around,  experienced,  as  we  trust,  the 
grace  of  God  in  this  village.  More  than  a  hundred,  the  subjects  of  the 
revival,  have  united  with  the  first  Presbyterian  church  ;  numbers  with 
the  Methodists  and  Baptists  ;  and  how  many  with  the  second  Presbyte- 
rian and  Welch  congregational  churches,  their  pastors  will  tell  in  this  re- 
port. Besides  these,  not  less  than  fifty  adults,  belonging  to  the  1st  Pres- 
byterian society,  are  entertaining  hopes,  who  for  various  reasons  still  re- 
main without  the  pale  of  the  church.     And  to  these  we  may  add  man-- 


25 

Children,  from  seven  to  thirteen  years  of  age,  whom,  although  they  give 
evidence  of  piety,  the  session  have  thought  best  for  a  time  to  catechise 
and  instruct,  until  their  age  and  knowledge  and  experience  with  the 
world  shall  render  it  more  safe  to  receive  them.  Accordingly,  a  class 
for  this  purpose  has  been  already  organized.  Nor  has  this  good  work 
of  the  Lord  ceased.  The  spirit  of  prayer  still  continues,  though  in  a  less- 
degree,  and  consequently  conversions  are  less  frequent  than  they  were 
last  winter.  Scarcely  a  week  has  passed  during  the  last  summer,  when 
one  or  more  has  not  been  brought  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  For  the 
last  six  weeks,  twenty  have  hopefully  experienced  the  grace  of  God. 

Whether  all  the  converts  are  what  they  profess  to  be,  the  great  day  of 
judgment  must  determine.  It  would  be  strange,  if  among  so  many, 
some  are  not  deceived.  As  yet,  however,  there  has  not  been  a  single 
instance  of  apostaey  among  adults,  that  has  come  to  my  knowledge  ; 
and,  judging  from  the  fruits,  the  only  safe  criterion,  now,  after  the  lapse 
of  eight  rrionths,  never  did  the  subjects  of  a  revival  appear  better.  But 
observation,  as  well  a3  the  word  of  God,  has  taught  me  to  expect  tares 
among  the  wheat ;  and  if  in  the  end,  there  should  be  many  of  the  form- 
er, it  will  be  no  argument  that  this  revival  is  not  the  work  of  God.  In- 
deed, we  do  feel  and  know  that  the  Lord  hath  done  it.  True,  he  has 
wrought  through  the  instrumentality  of  men ;  but  the  power  was  his, 
and  to  him  be  the  glory.  Besides  Mr.  Finney,  who  has  been  signally 
owned  and  blessed,  important  services  have  been  rendered  by  the  Rev. 
D.  Nash,  Mr.  N.  Smith,  and  other  brethren  in  the  ministry,  who  are  re- 
membered with  gratitude  both  by  the  church  and  their  pastor. 

With  regard  to  the  means  used  in  this  revival,  I  should  say  nothing, 
were  it  not  for  the  gross  misrepresentations  that  have  gone  abroad, 
'fhey  are  substantially  the  same  as  were  employed  by  Whitfield,  Edwards, 
Brainard,  and  by  some  still  living,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches. 
The  grand  mean,  and  that  into  which  all  others  are  resolved,  has  been 
the  word  of  God ;  the  doctrines  of  salvation  ;  the  depravity  of  the  heart, 
Consisting  not  merely  in  the  negative  want  of  love  to  God,  but  in  posi- 
tive hatred  to  him  j  the  law  of  God,  its  extent,  purity,  perfection,  and 
binding  influence  ;  the  sovereignty  of  God,  illustrated  and  enforced  not 
so  much  by  abstract  reasoning  as  by  matters  of  fact ;  the  nature  and 
necessity  of  regeneration  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  justification  by  faith 
alone.  These  truths  have  been  preached  constantly,  both  in  the  pulpit 
and  out  of  it.  Nor  have  we  failed  to  urge  sinners  to  repent  and  submit 
to  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  immediately,  as  the  only  condition  of  fbrgi'vV 

4 


26 

0688  ;  warning  them  at  the  same  time,  that  so  long  as  they  refused 
to  comply,  all  their  tears  and  prayers  and  efforts  are  not  only  vain,  but 
sinful. 

Believing  it  to  be  duty  to  use  every  lawful  and  proper  measure  to  ren- 
der effectual  dirine  truth,  we  have,  and  we  trust  in  humble  dependence 
on  God,  visited  from  house  to  house,  conversed  freely  with  individuals, 
and  fearlessly  declared  the  truths  in  the  street,  in  the  grocery,  the  count- 
ing-room, and  private  dwelling.  We  have  also  had  various  small  circles 
for  prayer,  as  well  as  stated  and  public  prayer-meetings  ;  and  in  the  for- 
mer, females,  in  some  cases,  though  more  seldom  than  we  could  wish, 
have  taken  a  part.  The  instruction  administered  in  Sabbath  schools 
has  been  signally  blessed,  both  to  the  teachers  and  taught.  At  the  com- 
mencement of  the  revival,  there  was  a  bible  class,  consisting  of  forty-two 
young  persons,  under  the  sole  direction  of  the  ciders  of  the  church.  Most 
of  these  are  indulging  hopes  of  eternal  life.  Their  number  has  now  in- 
creased to  nearly  one  hundred,  and  the  Lord  is  still  blessing  his  word  to 
the  salvation  of  their  souls.  The  bible  is  to  them  a  precious  book  ;  nor 
to  them  alone.  Never,  in  the  same  space  of  time,  I  am  confident,  was 
it  so  much  read  in  Utica,  as  it  has  been  for  twelve  months  past.  Be- 
sides these  means,  discipline,  meetings  of  inquiry,  days  of  fasting  and 
prayer,  and  conference  meetings  for  the  church,  have  been  very  useful. 

Nor  is  it  true,  that  all,  for  this  space  of  time,  has  been  division  and 
dissension  in  our  village.  Never  was  so  large  a  church  more  happily 
united  than  we  have  been,  during  this  revival ;  and  it  is  so  still.  I  veri- 
ly believe  there  is  here  the  "unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace." 
Some  few  individuals  may  have  differed  from  their  brethren,  with  regard 
to  the  propriety  of  some  measures ;  but  I  have  seen  none  who  were 
blind  to  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  that  was  bowing  down  rebel  sinners  on 
every  side,  and  none  so  hardened  in  unbelief,  as  not  to  adore  and  rejoice 
in  it.  The  society,  also,  is  evidently  strengthened  and  built  up  ;  and 
we  pray  God  to  send  down  his  spirit,  and  bring  in  those  who  are  left, 
that  all  may  "  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth." 


The  following  is  from  the  Rev.  S.  W.  Brace,  pastor  of  the  2d  Pres- 
byterian church,  dated  December  8th,  1 826  : — 

The  2d  Presbyterian  church  in  Utica  was  organized  in  May,  1824. 
Subsequent  to  that  period,  until  near  the  close  of  the  last  year,  there  had 
been  no  special  attention  to  religion  among  us  ;  although  a  number  of 


27 

souls  had  been  hopefull/converted  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  as  it  is 
in  Jesus,  and  added  to  the  church  on  public  profession  of  their  faith  in 
Him.  During  the  former  part  of  the  year,  a  state  of  deep  declension  in 
spiritual  things  prevailed.  Professing  Christians,  in  general,  exhibited 
great  apathy  to  the  concerns  of  the  soul ;  and  the  impenitent,  as  a  natur- 
al consequence,  were  content  to  live  in  sin,  unaffected,  unalarmed.  In 
the  midst  of  this  moral  darkness,  however,  there  were  some  scattered 
rays  of  light  thrown  in,  to  cheer  a  little  the  gloom  of  our  condition,  and 
inspire  the  hope  that  God  would  ere  long  look  down  in  mercy  upon  us. 
A  few  praying  souls,  in  earnest  importunity,  ceased  not  to  cry  to  Heav- 
en in  behalf  of  perishing  sinners.  A  few  instances  of  conviction  also 
occurred  ;  and  as  early  as  the  month  of  August,  there  were  three  cases 
of  hopeful  conversion.  Before  the  close  of  the  year,  a  greater  number 
appeared  to  be  seriously  impressed,  and  two  more,  in  the  judgment  of 
charity,  gave  evidence  of  a  saving  change  of  heart. 

On  the  first  and  second  Sabbaths  of  the  present  year,  deeper  solemni- 
ty and  more  fixed  attention  appeared  upon  the  minds  of  the  congrega- 
tion, than  we  had  before  witnessed.  A  day  of  fasting,  humiliation  and 
prayer,  was  set  apart  by  the  church,  and  observed  "  with  one  consent." 
The  exercises  of  this  day,  we  had  reason  to  believe,  were  crowned  with 
the  signal  blessing  of  God.  Immediately  after,  a  new  and  better  state  of 
feeling  seemed  to  pervade  the  hearts  of  professors  ;  and  the  work,  so  far 
as  it  regarded  the  impenitent,  assumed  a  more  decided  and  encouraging 
aspect.  A  more  frequent  and  unreserved  intercourse  took  place  among 
the  members  of  the  church.  "  Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord  spake 
often  one  to  another  ;"  and  it  was  evident  from  the  growing  interest 
which  they  felt  in  each  other's  spiritual  concerns,  that  "  the  Lord  heark- 
ened and  heard,  and  that  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  before 
him.''  The  spirit  of  "  brotherly  kindness  and  charity"  began  to  enkin- 
dle its  delightful  and  increasing  ardour  in  the  bosom,  and  the  law  of  love 
to  dwell  more  richly  upon  the  tongue.  Hearts,  melted  into  that  tender- 
ness of  christian  affection,  which  always  bespeaks  the  presence  of  the 
Saviour,  seemed  to  beat  in  unison  of  feeling.  There  was  meaning  in 
the  language  of  the  Apostle  to  the  Ephesians,  and  meaning  which  came 
home  to  the  bosom  with  energy  and  sweetness  : — "Be  ye  kind  one  to 
another — tender-hearted,  forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God,  for  Christ's 
sake,  hath  forgiven  you."  Prayers  more  fervent  and  humble  were  of- 
fered ;  and  exertions  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  the  glory  of  the  Re- 
deemer, were  concentrated  and  increased.  Meetings  for  social  and  de- 
votional purposes,  and  religious  visits,  became  frequent  and  refreshing. 


iicr»  \\.\>  in  THI  midst  OF  08,  OF  \  rRtTH.     Stupid  sinners  were  i 
cited  fo  look  at  a  crucified  Jesus,  and  mourn  and  weep  ;  and  hard  hearts 
were  subdued  to  the  love  and  obedience  of  Christ,  by  the  silent  and  hte- 
giving  energy  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Such  continued  to  be  the  state  of  things,  with  but  little  variation,  for 
about  four  months,  when  a  gradual  decline  of  the  work  was  apparent ; 
although  it  has  not  at  this  late  period  entirely  subsided  ;  so  far  from  it, 
that  new  cases  of  conviction  and  hopeful  conversion  come  to  our  notice 
nearly  every  week  ;  while  great  harmony  and  brotherly  kindness  still 
prevail  in  the  church,  together  with  an  increasing  spirit  of  prayer.  In- 
deed, there  is  at  the  present  time,  richer  tokens  of  the  presence  of  God 
our  Saviour  among  us,  than  we  have  witnessed  for  some  months  past. 
The  still  small  voice  of  the  infinite  and  invisible  One,  seems  yet  to 
be  whispering  consolation  to  the  saints,  and  trouble  to  the  wicked,  while 
Christ  and  his  cross  are  made  the  principal  themes  of  public  discourse. 

In  reviewing  the  dealings  of  God  towards  this  infant  branch  of  Zion, 
during  the  past  year,  we  have  abundant  cause  for  gratitude  and  praise. 
About  eighty  persons,  worshipping  with  us  at  different  periods,  it  is  be- 
lieved, have  become  hopefully  pious  in  this  revival.  Some  have  remov- 
ed from  the  place,  and  a  number  have  united  with  other  churches.  Fif- 
ty-two have  been  added  to  this  church  ;  a  number  more  have  been  exa- 
mined and  approved  by  the  session  ;  and  a  few  others,  on  examination, 
have  been  advised  to  delay  a  public  profession.  No  instance  of  open 
apostacy  from  the  faith,  has  yet  appeared  among  those  who  have  "  nam- 
ed the  name  of  Christ."  "With  but  little  exception,  they  appear  to  be 
walking  in  the  truth,  and  striving  to  adorn  the  doctrine  which  is  accord- 
ing to  godliness.  "  This  is  the  Lord's  doing — it  is  marvellous  in- 
cur EYES."  

The  Rev.  Mr.  Everett,  pastor  of  the  Welch  Presbyterian  church, 
state?  that  about  forty  have  been  added  to  his  church,  as  fruits  of  the 
revival. 


FRANKFORT. 

The  following  facts,  respecting  the  revival  in  this  place,  were  com- 
municated by  Mr.  W.  Jones,  a  licentiate,  who  has  been  preaching  here 
a  few  months  past.  The  moral  state  of  this  place  heretofore  has  been 
truly  deplorable.     Hi*  letter  is  dated  September  25  : — 


3.9 

We  can  truly  say,  the  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  this  place,  with- 
in a  few  weeks  past.  It  has  long  been  like  EzekieFs  vision  of  dry  bones- 
exceedingly  dry ;  not  a  tear  to  moisten  them,  nor  a  breath  to  blow  up- 
on them.  The  distillery,  carding-machine,  grist-mill  and  saw-mill,  were 
all  in  motion  on  the  Lord's  day.  But  two  families  could  be  found  where 
the  family  altar  was  erected. 

The  revival  commenced  here  very  suddenly.  On  the  evening  of  the 
iirst  Sabbath  that  I  began  to  labour  here,  the  spirit  of  God  came  down 
upon  the  audience  in  an  overwhelming  manner.  About  fifteen  were 
convicted,  ten  of  whom  gave  good  evidence  of  reconciliation  to  God 
before  the  next  Sabbath.  Meetings  were  now  thronged,  and  as  solemn 
as  the  chamber  of  death ! 

At  this  interesting  and  critical  period,  a  subscription  paper  was  in- 
dustriously circulated,  apparently  from  very  improper  motives,  by  whicli 
the  public  mind  was  diverted  from  the  great  salvation.  Opposers  united 
in  an  enterprize  which  seemed  so  favourable  to  putting  an  end  to  the  re- 
vival. For  a  time  this  seemed  to  strike  a  death  blow  to  the  work.  The 
converts  and  the  few  praying  people  here  fell  prostrate  before  the  mer- 
cy seat.  The  work  went  on,  though  slowly,  and  has  thus  continued 
amidst  many  powerful  obstacles.  Since  the  revival  commenced,  a  Pres- 
byterian church  has  been  organized,  consisting  of  forty-three  members. 
The  whole  number  of  converts  may  be  reckoned  at  about  fifty.  The 
principal  means  employed,  in  connexion  with  prayer,  have  been  plain 
preaching,  and  pointed  personal  conversation  ;  the  latter  of  which  has 
been,  under  God,  signally  blessed. 


TRENTON. 

The  following  facts  respecting  the  revival  in  this  place  were  furnish- 
ed by  the  Rev.  Oliver  Wetmore,  about  the  1st  of  October  : — 

It  is  nearly  two  years  since  I  commenced  my  labors  in  the  Presbyterian 
society  in  the  village  of  Trenton.  I  found  the  society  in  a  very  low  and  de- 
ranged state.  Nothing  special  occurred  until  December  last.  Several  pro- 
fessors, before  this,  began  to  mourn  over  their  stupidity,  and  to  pray  for 
themselves  and  the  church  ;  and  two  places  for  special  prayer  for  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Spirit  were  established,  one  in  the  village,  and  the  other  in  a 
different  part  of  the  society.  The  day  appointed  in  December,  by  the  syn- 
$d.  for  fasting  and  prayer,  was  kept  with  great  solemnity.  Many  prayers 


30 

g  previously  offered  that  it  might  be  blessed.  Nearly  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  attended.  A  more  solemn  meeting  I  never  witness- 
ed. Prayers,  exhortations  and  confessions  were  made.  The  Lord  was 
with  us.  Deep  contrition  was  visible.  The  members  confessed  their 
long  neglected  duties  to  God,  and  to  one  another.  Several  gave  up  their 
hopes,  and  were  as  much  distressed  for  some  time  as  convicted  sinners. 
Indeed,  great  searchings  of  heart  continued  in  the  church  during  the 
whole  winter  and  spring.  Soon  after  the  day  of  fasting  and  prayer, 
some  instances  of  conviction  occurred.  But  there  were  few  hopeful 
conversions  until  March,  when  the  work  assumed  a  very  interesting  char- 
acter. Conversions  through  March  and  April  were  frequent.  Convic- 
tions in  most  cases  were  deep,  and  of  short  continuance,  though  in  some 
cases  from  two  to  four  weeks.  In  most  instances  the  subjects  gave  clear 
evidence  of  conversion,  and  remain  steadfast. 

Great  solemnity  and  the  utmost  order  have  prevailed  in  our  meetings. 
We  have  occasionally  heard  the  involuntary  sigh  and  groan  ;  but  nothing 
has  appeared  like  fanaticism  or  enthusiasm.  In  two  cases  only  has 
there  been  any  disturbance.  One  was  caused  by  a  man  who  was  intox- 
icated, and  who  was  removed  from  the  house  by  the  civil  authority.  The 
other  was  by  a  person  evidently  under  conviction,  and  whose  feelings 
were  excited  in  consequence  of  prayers  having  been  offered  up  for  him 
by  a  visiting  brother  the  preceding  evening.  He  soon  manifested  con- 
dition, and  gave  evidence  of  submission  to  God. 

The  means  have  been  prayer  and  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  The 
truths  of  God's  word,  which  have  been  most  inculcated,  are  the  holy 
sovereignty  of  God  ;  the  extent  and  spirituality  of  the  divine  law,  with 
ns  penalty  ;  the  character  of  Christ,  as  "  God  manifest  in  the  flesh  ;" 
the  atonement,  total  depravity  of  the  heart,  and  the  duty  of  immediate 
repentance  and  reconciliation  to  God  ;  pointing  out  the  great  guilt  of 
sinners  in  making  excuses,  that  they  cannot  repent,  and  cannot  love  God, 
and  would  if  they  could.  The  conscience  was  pressed  with  all  the  seri- 
ousness and  solemnity  of  which  the  speakers  were  capable.  Meetings 
of  inquiry  were  very  useful.  Christians,  in  these  prayer-meetings,  have 
prayed  for  particular  individuals  ;  and  remarkable  instances  of  conver- 
sion have  apparently  occurred  in  answer  to  such  prayers.  Our  prayer- 
meetings  have  been  one  of  the  greatest  means  of  the  conversion  of  souls, 
especially  those  in  which  brothers  and  sisters  have  prayed  together.  If 
God  has  honoured  any  meetings  among  us,  it  has  been  these.  If  I  hare 
■ever  been  made  humble,  and  to  feel  mv  own  littleness  it  has  been  at 


3,1 

such  meetings.  One  of  our  stations  for  praycr-meetinga,  at  the  house 
of  an  elder,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  village,  has  been  signally 
blessed.  This  was  the  spiritual  birth-place  of  many  precious  and  im- 
mortal souls.  Here  Christians  have  been  compelled  to  remain  in  some 
instances  agonizing  in  prayer,  till  almost  the  breaking  of  day,  for  individ- 
uals who  could  not  be  prevailed  upon  to  depart  until  their  peace  was 
made  with  God.  From  this  place  the  revival  extended  into  the  congre- 
gation under  the  care  of  brother  Goodell.  This  "  Bethel"  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  those  who  there  prayed  and  wrestled  as  did  Jacob. 

In  the  latter  part  of  summer,  a  bible  class  was  established  in  the  vil- 
lage, which  consisted  principally  of  young  females.  In  this  class,  con- 
sisting of  eighteen,  the  revival  among  the  impenitent  began.  Fifteen 
of  these  we  trust  have  become  pious.  One  was  a  professor.  The  oth- 
er two  were  somewhat  serious  ;  but  being  under  the  influence  of  unita- 
rian friends,  they  neglected  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  class,  and  have 
reverted  to  their  former  state.  Upwards  of  one  hundred  are  hopefully 
converted.  The  number  is  great,  considering  the  smallness  of  the  con- 
gregation, compared  witli  most  of  those  which  have  shared  in  the 
same  blessing.  Forty-four  have  been  admitted  into  the  church,  and  we 
expect  soon  to  receive  as  many  more.  Some  have  been  added  to  the 
Methodist  and  Baptist  churches,  but  the  number  I  do  not  know. 

The  opposition  to  the  revival  has  been  great ;  but  not  from  those  at- 
tached to  our  congregation.  Deists,  Universalists,  and  many  of  the  U- 
nitarians,  have  endeavoured  to  bring  the  revival  into  disrepute.  False 
reports  have  been  circulated  ;  and  this  spirit  in  some  degree  still  prevails. 
No  unfavourable  impression,  however,  has  been  made  upon  the  Presby- 
terian congregation. 

The  influence  of  the  revival  upon  our  congregation,  is  visible  in  the 
increased  numbers,  the  decent  deportment  and  the  solemn  attention  of 
those  who  attend  upcn  the  worship  of  God  on  the  Sabbath.  On  the 
whole,  we  have  witnessed  a  wonderful  display  of  divine  grace  in  the 
conversion  of  sinners.  Great  has  been  our  joy,  and  to  God  be  all  the 
glory.* 

The  labours  of  the  Rev.  N.  Smith  have  been  a  great  relief  to  me, 
and  very  useful. 


*  Since  this  account  was  received,  another  letter  has  been  received  from 
Mr.  Wetmore,  occasioned  by  a  work  recently  published,  entitled  "  Bunker 
Hill  Contest ;''  for  which  see  Appendix. 


32 

REMSEN. 

Truss  place  is  lour  miles  north  of  Trenton  village,  where  there  is  a 
small  Presbyterian  church.  The  following  facts,  communicated  about 
the  1st  of  December,  are  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilcox,  under  whose  la- 
bours the  revival  commenced : — 

Favourable  indications  were  apparent  early  last  spring.  During  the 
month  of  June,  means  to  arouse  the  church  were  blessed.  The  opera- 
tions of  the  Spirit  at  the  close  of  the  month  were  too  manifest  to  be  mis- 
taken. The  prayers  of  Christians  were  more  fervent.  Religion  be- 
came the  topic  of  conversation  in  every  circle,  and  with  almost  every  in- 
dividual in  the  neighbourhood.  Sinners  were  troubled,  convicted  of 
sin,  and  we  trust  converted  from  the  error  of  their  ways.  When  com- 
pared with  what  the  Lord  has  done  in  neighbouring  places,  the  work  is 
small ;  but  it  has  been  in  a  small,  feeble  society.  The  world  will  be  lit- 
tle interested ;  yet  the  friends  of  Zion  here-,  who  have  lon'g  mourned 
over  its  desolations,  have  as  much  gladness  of  heart  as  those  in  more 
highly  favoured  places,  who  have  witnessed  greater  things.  The  church 
were  only  a  feeble  band  of  about  twenty-five,  living  remote  from  each 
other.  As  the  first  fruits  of  this  revival,  ten  have  been  added  to  the 
church,  by  profession.  Perhaps  hopes  may  be  safely  entertained  of  as 
many  more ;  and  we  trust  from  present  indications  that  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  has  not  yet  completed  his  conquests  among  us.  Will  not  those 
who  are  abundantly  favoured  with  the  means  of  grace,  pray  for  feeble 
and  scattered  congregations  ?  Will  not  ministers,  who  are  pastors  of 
large  and  flourishing  churches,  remember  those  who  have  gone  out  into- 
the  highways  and  hedges,  to  compel  sinners  to  come  in  ? 


RUSSIA  AND  WEST-BRUNSWICK. 

The  revival  has  extended  to  these  places.  The  people  generally  are 
Baptists  and  Methodists.  There  is  a  small  Presbyterian  church  in  each 
place,  which  have  enjoyed  in  common  with  the  other  churches  in  those 
places,  a  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  The 
committee  have  received  no  official  communication. 


HOLLAND  PATENT. 

Tins  is  the  west  part  of  the  town  of  Trenton.     The  people  are  much, 
divided  in  religious  sentintent,  which  renders  all  the  societies  small 


Though  the  number  of  converts  here  is  not  so  great  as  in  some  otlici 
places,  it,  is  nearly  equal  when  compared  with  the  population. 

The  following  facts  were  communicated  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  Goodell,  the- 
first  of  October : — 

The  revival  here  commenced  about  the  first  of  May  ;  but  it  is  evident 
that  the  cloud  of  mercy  was  gathering,  and  the  way  of  the  Lord  pre- 
paring, for  three  or  four  months  previously  to  that  time.  On  the  first 
Sabbath  in  the  year,  I  preached  from  these  words — "  Set  thine  house  in 
order,  for  thou  shalt  die,  and  not  live. "  A  sensible  impression  was  made, 
and  particularly  on  one  member  of  the  church,  then  in  health,  whose 
funeral  sermon  I  preached  the  first  time  I  again  entered  the  desk,  two 
weeks  afterward.  Some  members  of  the  church  were  awakened  to  du- 
ty by  this  death  and  the  funeral  services.  Prayer-meetings  were  more 
frequent  and  better  attended,  from  this  time,  until  the  revival  commen- 
ced. The  first  Tuesday  in  May  was  observed  by  the  church  as  a  day 
of  fasting  and  prayer.  The  forenoon  was  spent  in  free  conversation 
and  prayer,  and  in  the  afternoon  a  sermon  was  preached.  This  was  a 
solemn  day.  The  church  prayed.  The  Spirit  descended.  Sinners 
present  were  convicted.  From  this  time,  which  was  truly  a  season  of 
refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  the  work  became  powerful, 
and  so  continued  for  about  three  months.  Since  that,  instances  of  con- 
version have  occurred  from  time  to  time. 

The  means  which  were  used,  and  which  were  blessed  here,  were  sim- 
ilar to  those  employed  in  Rome.  The  faithful  labours  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Norton,  who  spent  several  weeks  here,  were  signally  blessed.  On  the 
first  Sabbath  in  September,  thirty-five  were  added  to  the  church  under 
my  care,  as  the  first  fruits  of  the  revival.  Several  more  expect  soon  to 
Unite.  Eleven  adults  were  baptized.  Upwards  of  twenty  have  united 
with  other  denominations.  The  whole  number  of  hopeful  converts  is 
about  seventy. 

LITCHFIELD. 

A  hevtval  commenced  here  the  latter  part  of  winter,  and  became 
considerably  powerful  in  May  and  June,  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Towne,  the 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  consequence  of  his  excessive  la- 
bours, was  taken  sick  and  died.  With  his  death  the  means  of  grace 
Vere  diminished,  and  the  revival  declined,     Particulars  are  unknown. 


J'LOYD. 

There  is  a  small  Presbyterian  church  in  this  place,  but  no  stated 
preaching,  and  their  house  was  built  by  different  denominations.  The 
revival  extended  here,  but  the  committee  are  unable  to  state  particular;. 


SANGERFIELD. 

Considerable  excitement  prevailed  in  the  Presbyterian  society,  un- 
der the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hopkins,  during  the  last  winter, 
and  a  considerable  number  have  united  with  the  Presbyterian  and  Bap- 
tist churches.     Particulars  unknown. 


Some  of  the  Congregational  churches  in  the  south  part  of  the  counh 
have  been  visited,  particularly  Dr.  Norton's  society  in  Clinton,  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Robinson's,  in  Hanover..     Indeed,  some  drops  of  this  shower  pf 
grace  have  fallen  on  almost  every  place  in  the  county. 


_ 


X. 
Remarks  on  the  Character  of  this  Revival  of  Religion. 


1.  From  the  preceding  accounts,  we  are  constrained  to  acknowledge 
that  God  has  made  a  rich  and  wonderful  display  of  his  grace  amongst 
us  during  the  past  year,  in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and  the  quickening 
of  his  children.  More  than  three  thousand  are  indulging-  hope  that  they 
have  become  reconciled  to  God  through  the  Redeemer.  About  half 
this  number  have  already  united  with  the  Presbyterian  and  Congrega- 
tional churches,  and  a  large  portion  of  the  remainder  with  the  Baptitt 
and  Methodist  churches.  Never  before  have  the  churches  in  this  region 
been  blessed  with  so  great  a  shower  of  divine  grace. 

The  history  of  the  church  in  every  age,  forbids  the  expectation  thai, 
all  this  number  possess  that  repentance  and  faith,  which  is  unto  salvation. 
In  the  little  family  of  Jesus,  there  was  a  Judas.  We  may  reasonably 
hope  that  the  proportion  of  deceivers  and  deceived,  is  not  greater  among 
these  who  arc  numbered  as  converts  in  this  revival.  And  if  eleven- 
twelfths  of  this  number  are  adopted  into  the  family  of  the  sons  of  God, 
and  ate  heirs  to  the  heavenly  inheritance,  great,  unspeakably  great,  is 
the  blessing,  and  great  should  be  the  joy,  and  loud  the  praise,  of  those 
who  love  and  pray  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion. 

But  while  we  are  bound  to  give  thanks  to  God  fir  his  distinguishing 
mercy  we  have  cause  to  mourn  over  our  unfaithfulness  as  ministers  and 
churches,  and  to  weep  over  the  multitudes  who  still  remain  "dead  in 
trespasses  and  in  sins."  How  many  of  these  may  have  been  left,  on 
account  of  the  unfaithfulness  of  ministers,  and  elders,  and  private  mem- 
bers of  our  churches  ?  Had  every  minister  been  as  self-denying  and  de- 
voted as  the  nature  of  his  office  requires  ;  had  ail  our  elders,  and  the 
members  of  our  churches,  been  as  united,  a3  bold,  and  as  active,  as  be- 
comes the  soldiers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  many  more  would  doubtless 
have  been  brought  to  the  knowledge  and  acknowledgment  ef  the  truth; 


36 

flow  often  may  the  Spirit  have  been  grieved  by  those  who  professed  to 

ricsirc  and  pray  for  his  influence?  The  judgment  day  may  disclose  facts, 
which,  could  they  now  be  known,  would  furnish  matter  to  us  all  for  deep 
repentance  and  humiliation  before  God.  Let  every  minister,  elder,  and 
private  professor,  inquire  what  more  he  could  have  done  for  the  glory  of 
God  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  let  him  confess  his  offences,  by 
prayer  for  pardon,  through  the  blood  of  that  Saviour  who  died  fgr 
ncrs;  and  dedicate  himself  anew  to  his  service. 

2.  This  revival  has  continued  longer,  particularly  in  some  of  our  so- 
cieties, than  has  been  usual  in  former  revivals.  It  is  now  more  than  a 
year  since  it  commenced  in  some  places  where  it  still  continues ;  and  in 
most  of  our  churches,  an  unusual  spirit  of  prayer  still  prevails,  and  in- 
stances of  conviction  and  conversion  continue  to  occur. 

3.  Considering  the  number  of  converts,  and  the  time  that  lias  elapsed 
since  the  revival  commenced,  the  instances  of  backsliding  have  been 
fewer  than  usual.  From  the  preceding  narrative,  it  appears,  that,  with 
lew  exceptions,  those  who  have  indulged  hope,  are  steadfast,  and  grow- 
ing in  knowledge  and  grace.  By  their  fruits  in  future  life  their  real  cha- 
racter must  be  ic^lcd. 

4.  In  this  revival  there  has  been  less  appearance  of  mere  sympathy 
and  excitement  of  the  passions,  unaccompanied  with  conviction  of  sin, 
than  usual.  Most  of  the  feeling,  and  the  strongest  feeling,  which  sm- 
uers  have  manifested,  has  arisen  from  the  lashes  of  an  accusing  con- 
science. So  far  as  this  characteristic  of  the  revival  is  owing  to  means, 
we  believe  it  has  been  to  the  fact,  that  Christians  have  prayed  much  for 
the  convicting  and  sanctifying  influence  of  the  Spirit,  and  that  minister* 
have  constantly  pressed  the  consciences  of  sinners  with  those  truths  which 
show  them  their  guilt,  and  their  immediate  duty  to  repent  and  believe. 
The  whole  man  has  been  addressed — his  understanding,  Ins  conscience, 
and  his  affections.  The  general  strain  of  preaching  has  been  far  from 
what  is  usually  denominated  declamatory ;  and  it  has  been  equally  far 
irom  what  is  styled,  by  the  gay.  the  flippant,  and  the  superficial  part  of 
community,  oratorical  and  popular.  There  is  a  style  of  preaching, 
under  which  such  hearers  will  feci  strongly*  and  love  to  feel ;  and  under 
which  they  may  even  weep,  as  they  would  over  a  favourite  novel ;  and 
from  which  they  will  retire,  delighted  with  the  powers  of  the  speaker, 
and  the  beauties  of  his  composition.  But  such  is  not  the  preaching, 
under  which  sinners  have  been  pricked  in  their  hearts,  and   ' 

*    -»•  Men  and  brethren,  what  ^ha'.l  we  do  '"' 


3.7 

i.  This  revival  has  been  characterized  by  a  remark  able  "Spirit  oi  p.ray> 
er.  Often  has  it  been  said — "  Christians  pray  as  they  have  never  pray- 
ed before."  Many  have  been  in  deep  distress,  and  felt  what  it  was  to 
travail  in  birth  for  souls.  With  this  burden  pressing  upon  their  hearts, 
they  have  cried  to  God  for  help,  feeling  they  could  not  let  him  go  with- 
out a  blessing  ;  and  where  Christians  have  been  united  and  persevering 
in  their  supplications,  astonishing,  and  in  some  instances,  overwhelming 
influences  of  the  Spirit  have  been  witnessed.  So  great,  and  so  general 
lias  been  the  excitement,  that  worldly  business  was  in  a  considerable 
degree  suspended,  and  religion  was  the  common  topic  of  conversation 
in  all  companies  and  in  all  places. 

6.  Unusual  strength  of  faith  in  the  promises  and  threatenings  of  God 
has  been  manifested  in  many  of  our  churches.  Christians  have  not  on- 
ly assented  to  the  testimony  of  God,  that  there  is  a  heaven  and  a  hell ; 
but  they  have  seemed,  in  many  instances,  to  have  such  a  spiritual  per- 
ception of  these  amazing  truths,  and  others  connected  with  them,  that 
they  have  rejoiced  with  trembling.  With  the  eye  of  faith  open  upon  the 
eternal  world,  they  have  laid  hold  of  the  arm  of  the  Lord,  with  a  grasp 
which  seemed  to  say — It  is  a  case  of  life  and  death  with  our  friends  and 
neighbours ;  we  cannot  be  denied.  They  have  not  been  denied.  The 
ear  of  the  Lord  was  "  open  unto  their  prayer,"  and  "his  arm  brought 
salvation." 

7.  An  unusual  spirit  of  prayer  has  prevailed  among  converts,  and 
they  have  manifested  a  disposition  to  converse  with  their  friends  and 
others  on  the  subject  of  religion.  It  has  often  been  remarked  of  them, 
that  they  were  born  praying.  Many  of  them  appear  to  have  the  strength 
of  spiritual  manhood,  and  promise  to  be  among  the  brightest  ornaments 
of  our  churches. 

8.  This  revival  has  extended  to  all  classes  of  society.  Some  have 
been  born  again  in  old  age.  Many,  very  young,  have  given  satisfactory 
evidence  of  piety,  especially  among  those  who  have  been  trained  in  reli- 
gious families,  and  in  our  Sabbath  schools.  Many  men  of  wealth,  and 
learning,  and  talents,  have  been  converted,  and  become  like  little  chil- 
dren. Many,  who  in  common  parlance  were  moral  men,  have  seen 
that  their  morality  was  devoid  of  that  holiness  of  heart,  "without  which 
no  man  shall  see  the  Lord,"  and  have  cried,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a 
sinner."  Many,  who  had  embraced  universalism  and  other  errors,  have 
fled  from  their  refuges  of  lies,  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  before  them 
in  the  gospel.     These  facts  should  encourage  ministers  and  churches  i'q 


pray  and  labour  for  the  salvation  of  ah  men,  the  high  and  the  low,  the 
rich  and  the  poor,  the  old  and  the  young,  the  moral  and  tho  protane,  an- 
imated with  the  thought  that  "  he  that  converteth  a  sinner  from  the  error 
of  his  ways,  shall  save  a  soul  from  death,  and  hide  a  multitude  of  sins." 

9.  Great  heart-scarchings  among  professors  have  characterized 
revival.  This  we  have  seen  in  former  revivals,  but  never  before  to  so 
greal  an  extent.  It  has  been  very  common  to  hear  professors  say,  with 
a  solemn,  downcast  countenance,  "I  have  no  religion."  They  have 
had  severe  seasons  of  conviction.  Some  probably  have,  for  the  first 
time,  been  brought  to  repentance.  Most,  however,  have,  after  a  short 
time,  given  evidence  of  an  increased  devotion  to  God  ;  and  such  have 
been  eminently  useful  in  promoting  the  work.  Those  ministers,  also,  in 
whose  societies  the  revival  has  been  powerful,  have  been  led  to  close 
self-examination,  and  been  apparently  deeply  humbled  for  past  unfaith- 
fulness. 

10.  Converts,  especially  during  the  greatest  excitement,  have  mani- 
fested  more  joy  and  stronger  hopes,  than  in  any  preceding  revivals,  among 
us.  Strong  hopes  have  been  considered  by  many  an  unfavourable  in- 
dication. Whether  this  be  a  correct  opinion,  we  shall  not  undertake  to 
determine.  But  it  is  worthy  of  consideration,  whether  the  faint  hopes 
of  converts  may  not  arise  from  not  being  earnestly  pressed  with  truths 
adapted  to  their  case,  and  from  the  want  of  more  spiritual  strength  in 
the  church,  in  wrestling  with  God  in  prayer  for  their  deliverance  from 
sin,  rather  than  from  deep  humility,  and  a  just  sense  of  the  danger  of 
deception. 

11.  Much  opposition  has  been  made  to  this  revival.  This  appears 
from  the  preceding  accounts.  But  the  half  is  not  told,  and  for  the  honour 
of  the  county,  we  think,  ought  not  to  be  told.  False  reports  have  been 
circulated.  Gross  misrepresentations  have  beon  made  of  the  preaching, 
and  other  means  which  have  been  employed  to  promote  the  work.  Pre- 
judices have  thus  been  excited  in  the  minds  of  some,  who  are  doubtless 
the  friends  of  religion,  but  who  have  not  been  in  circumstances  favour- 
able to  judge  for  themselves.  It  is  not  to  be  expected,  that  men  actu- 
ated by  the  best  motives,  and  pursuing  with  hallowed  zeal  tiie  most  no- 
ble objects,  should  act  with  perfect  wisdom  and  discretion.  But  from 
the  preceding  accounts,  and  from  personal  observation,  the  committee 
feel  warranted  in  saying,  that  ministers  and  churches  have  exhibited  as 
much  sound  wisdom  and  discretion,  as  has  ever  been  exhibited  in  any 

a)  of  which  they  have  any  knowledge.     Yen.  wc  believe  thai  there 


39 

has  been  an  unusual  spirit  of  prayer  to  God,  for  that  wisdom  which  is 
profitable  to  direct. 

It  would  savour  of  weakness  and  spiritual  pride  in  our  churches,  (o 
justify  every  thing  which  lias  been  said  and  done,  in  public  and  private, 
by  the  friends  of  the  revival.  But  we  believe  it  a  duty  we  owe  to  the 
cause  of  truth,  to  say,  that  most  of  the  opposition  has  been  excited  by 
that  preaching,  and  those  means,  which  have  met  the  approbation  of  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church.  Indiscretions,  real  or  apparent,  are  the 
only  things  which  have  given  most  of  the  opposers  any  pleasure.  Their 
consciences,  could  they  speak,  would  tell  the  world,  that  ninety-nine  hun- 
dredths of  all  the  stir  they  have  made,  has  originated  from  a  naked  exhi- 
bition of  gospel  truth,  and  from  the  agonizing  prayers  and  faithful  ex- 
ertions of  the  people  of  God  for  the  salvation  of  their  fellow-men. 

It  is  not  the  wish  of  the  committee  to  dwell  upon  this  opposition. 
Care  has  been  taken  to  guard  the  churches  from  talking  much  about  the 
opposition,  and  allowing  their  personal  feelings  to  become  enlisted  by 
the  falsehood  and  abuse  of  opposers.  But  we  have  said  thus  much,  to 
give  the  christian  public  what  we  verily  believe  a  just  representation  of 
this  outcry,  and  to  prevent  any  from  being  alarmed  at  opposition  to 
revivals,  and  neglecting  to  use  means  which  God  blesses  in  promoting 
them.  We  believe,  from  the  history  of  the  church,  and  Tacts  that  have 
occurred  in  this  revival  strengthen  the  belief,  that  the  elements  of  op- 
position to  a  revival  of  "  pure  and  undefiled  religion,"  exist  in  the  most 
enlightened  and  moral  districts  of  Christendom,  and  are  to  be  found  in 
that  pride,  and  worldliness,  and  ambition,  and  love  of  pleasure,  which 
reign  predominant  in  the  hearts  of  the  unrenewed,  and  which  exist  to 
an  alarming  extent  among  ministers,  elders,  deacons,  and  private  mem- 
bers of  the  church  of  Christ.  Many,  in  christian  as  well  as  heathen 
lands,  have  their  idols,  and  they  are  too  strongly  attached  to  them  to  give 
them  up  without  a  severe  struggle.  Those  who  would  attempt  the 
work,  must  count  the  cost,  and  make  up  their  minds  to  put  on  the  whole 
christian  armour,  and  prepare  to  receive  many  fiery  darts  from  the  ene- 
niv.  before  he  will  submit. 


Means  which  appear  to  have  been  blessed  inpromotin 
this  Revival 


il.  Seasons  of  fasting  and  prayer.  In  most,  if  not  all,  the  societies 
■which  have  shared  in  this  work  of  grace,  days  have  been  set  apart  for 
the  special  object  of  praying  for  the  influences  of  the  Spirit,  to  humble 
and  sanctify  the  professed  disciples  of  Christ,  and  to  convert  sinners. 
The  blessing  of  God  on  such  seasons  has  been  most  apparent,  where 
Christians  have  looked  forward  to  them  with  interest,  and  made  them  a 
subject  of  prayer. 

2.  Confession  of  sin  in  churches.  Wherever  churches  have  met,  and 
with  evident  sincerity  of  heart,  confessed  their  "faults  one  to  another.' ' 
God  has  granted  them  a  sweet  sense  of  his  forgiving  mercy,  given  them 
I'ree  access  to  his  throne  of  grace  in  praying  for  others,  and  great  bold- 
ness and  zeal  in  using  means  for  their  salvation. 

3.  Church  discipline.  This  has  tended  to  humble  churches,  and  to 
alarm  the  impenitent.  Discipline,  judiciously  administered,  has  been 
found  a  powerful  method  of  enforcing  some  of  the  truths  of  the  gospel. 
Many  arc  hardened  in  unbelief  by  the  irregular  lives  of  professors.  When 
such  are  led  to  repent  and  confess  their  sins,  or  are  excluded  from  thr 
church,  one  of  the  objections  is  removed,  with  which  sinners  often  suc- 
cessfully ward  off  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  pointed  at  their  heart. 

4.  Visiting  from  house  to  house.  This  has  been  done  extensively. 
These  visits  have  been  strictly  religious.  Every  member  of  the  family. 
•  apable  of  receiving  instruction,  has  been  addressed  ;  and  such  visit? 
nave  usually  been  closed  with  prayer,  adapted  to  the  character  and  cir- 
cumstances of  the  different  members  of  the  family.  By  such  visits 
many  have  been  addressed  who  could  be  addressed  no  where  else,  and 
who  were  thus  brought  to  attend  on  the  usual  means  of  grace  ;  col<* 
professor?  frave  been  roused,  and  many  careless" sinners  awaktned 


II 

b.  Preaching  the  gospel,  its  doctrines  and  precepts,  its  promises  and 
threatenings,  with  great  plainness  and  earnestness.  Every  class  of 
people  have  been  addressed  with  truths  adapted  to  their  character. — 
Churches  have  been  reproved  in  the  most  pointed  manner,  for  then 
lukewarmness,  their  pride,  and  worldliness,  and  unbelief.  They  have 
been  urged  as  strongly  to  repent  and  humble  themselves  before  God. 
as  the  most  rebellious  sinners.  This  plain  and  faithful  application 
of  divine  truth  to  the  churches,  while  it  has  produced  great  searchings 
of  heart,  and  led  some  to  abandon  their  hopes,  has  in  several  cases,  ex- 
cited greater  alarm  among  sinners  than  a  direct  address.  The  truths 
of  God's  word  have  been  pressed  upon  sinners  without  respect  of  per- 
sons. The  sinner  has  been  followed  into  all  his  hiding  places.  Every 
mask  has  been  torn  off  from  the  moralist  and  self-righteous.  The  der 
ceitfulness  of  the  heart  has  been  exposed  ;  and  the  sinner  has  been  met 
at  every  turn,  with  the  naked  sword  of  the  Spirit  pointed  at  his  breast. 
While  Christians  have  prayed  with  more  faith  than  usual,  ministers  have 
•also  preached  with  more  faith  than  heretofore.*  They  have  felt  the 
importance  of  probing  the  disease  of  sin  to  the  core.  They  have  ap- 
peared to  throw  themselves  upon  the  altar,  resolving  to  preach  the  truth 
of  God,  if  they  were  driven  from  their  societies,  or  sacrificed  by  the 
rage  of  the  wicked.  This  preaching  has,  as  might  be  expected,  produ- 
ced much  commotion.  But  while  some  have,  with  unwonted  strength, 
braced  themselves  against  the  truth,  and  hardened  their  hearts,  till  their 
case  may  be  hopeless,  multitudes  slain  by  it,  have  applied  to  the  "  blood 
of  sprinkling"  for  relief,  and  have  found  joy  and  peace  in  believing. 


*  It  is  a  question  worthy  of  very  serious  consideration,  how  far  (Le  gospel 
is  rendered  unfruitful  by  the  weakness  of  faith  in  those  who  preach  it.  We 
use  faith  here  in  its  most  extensive  signification.  We  mean  by  it,  that  moral 
impression  on  the  whole  soul,  which  corresponds  with  the  gospel  mould,  with 
the  nature  and  magnitude  of  spiritual  objects,  so  far  as  the  limited  powers  of 
man  are  capable  of  such  impression.  The  weakness  of  faith  exposes  a  min- 
ister to  innumerable  dang'ers.  He  is  in  danger  of  preaching  the  truth  so 
coldly,  that  the  natural  impression  is,  either  that  he  does  not  believe  it,  or 
that  it  is  of  little  importance.  If  he  is  eloquent,  he  is  in  danger  of  bein^- 
more  solicitous  that  his  hearers  should  admire  his  talents,  than  that  they  should 
adore  and  embrace  the  Saviour  of  the  world.  The  preaching  of  men  of  the 
most  brilliant  talents,  has  in  many  cases,  it  is  to  be  feared,  done  as  little  to- 
wards reforming  mankind,  as  the  exhibitions  of  the  stage-actor.  He  who 
has  strong  logical  powers,  and  little  faith,  is  in  danger  of  so  distorting  the 
gospel;,  by  dwelling  on  abstruse  points,  as  to  lead  the  common  people  to  fir 


12 

?.   LTnion«f   ■  ud  effort  in  churches  lias  promoted  this  f<  \  .a 

Where  the  great  body  of  the  church  ha<  come  up  to  the  help  of  the 
Lord,  the  work  has  been  powerful :  And  although  there  have  been  in 
most  of  the  churches,  some  who  have  st<9od  all  the  day  idle  ;  yet  a  larger 
proportion  have  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  the  work  than  in  former 
revivals.  The  coldness  or  the  opposition  of  professors,  has  been  found 
far  more  injurious  than  the  opposition  of  others. 

This  union  in  contiguous  churches  has  strengthened  each  other  in  the 
work.  When  sinners  have  been  offended  at  the  preaching  in  one  place, 
or  been  convicted  and  fled  to  another  for  relief,  instead  of  being  coun- 
tenanced in  their  opposition,  they  have  met  with  the  same  faithful  treat- 
ment, till  worried  with  the  stings  of  an  accusing  conscience,  they  have 
submitted  themselves  to  God.  Some,  it  is  true,  have  flod  where  they 
have  found  an  opiate,  which  has  lulled  them  into  a  sleep,  from  which 
they  may  never  awake. 

Nothing  lias  been  found  more  disheartening  to  ministers,  than  cold 
or  cross  elders  and  professors ;  but  it  is  cause  of  gratitude  that  the  num- 
ber of  such  has  been  small. 

7.  Meetings  of  inquiry  have  been  greatly  blessed.  As  the  nature  of 
these  meetings  is  generally  understood,  and  as  the  manner  in  which  they 
have  been  conducted  in  this  revival,  has  been  in  a  measure  described  in 
the  preceding  accounts,  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  more. 

8.  Avoiding  disputes  upon  minor  points.  Care  lias  been  taken  to 
guard  Christians  against  all  sectarian  feelings.     In  some  instances  inju- 


from  it  as  they  would  from  a  monster,  whose  unsightly  but  mysteiious  powers 
they  could  not  comprehend.  The  minister  of  weak  faith  is  in  danger  of  at- 
taching an  undue  importance  to  some  favourite  opinions,  which  he  deals  out 
on  all  occasions,  instead  of  adapting  the  moral  medicines  of  the  gospel  to 
the  various  diseases  of  those  whom  it  is  his  business  to  heal.  Such  a  spir- 
itual doctor,  however  learned,  and  however  celebrated  he  may  be,  resembles 
the  quack,  who  with  great  self-complacency  deals  out  his  panacea  to  every 
patient,  whatever  be  his  malady.  It  is  undoubtedly  important  that  the  whole 
strength  of  human  intellect  should  be  applied  to  particular  subjects ;  but  this 
should  be  done  by  writers  of  books,  and  not  by  the  preacher  who  addresses  a 
mixed  assembly,  and  whose  business  it  is  to  preach  Christ,  warning  even- 
man,  and  teaching  every  man  in  all  wisdom  ;  that  he  may  present  every  man 
perfect  in  Christ  Jesus.  Imperfect  is  the  faith  of  the  best;  and  it  becomes 
the  ministers  of  Christ,  above  all  men,  to  search  the  scriptures  with  the  do- 
cility of  children,  and  to  pray  continual!?,  "  Lord,  increase  our  faith. '' 


43 

fj  has  been  done  ;  but  we  believe  that  the  churches  generally  have  done 
less  to  grieve  the  Spirit,  by  any  improper  conduct  in.  this  respect,  than 
is  common  in  revivals.  Indeed  we  may  say,  that,  with  few  exceptions, 
churches  of  different  names  have  felt  and  manifested  more  solicitude  to 
make  converts  than  proselytes. 

9.  Urging  awakened  sinners  to  immediate  repentance  and  reconcili- 
ation to  God.  No  excuse,  on  account  of  human  depravity,  or  human 
dependence  and  divine  agency,  has  been  allowed.  To  all  such  objec^ 
tions,  a  "  thus  saith  the  Lord,"  has  been  the  reply.  Where  instruction 
was  needed,  the  nature  and  reasonableness  of  these  duties  have  been  ful- 
ly pointed  out.  If  the  impenitent  have  still  pleaded  any  excuse,  they 
have  been  told  that  the  controversy  was  between  them  and  God,  and 
with  him  they  must  settle  it.  The  effect  of  this  mode  of  address,  gen- 
erally, has  been,  that  conviction  has  increased,  until  the  sinner  has  sur- 
rendered himself  into  the  hands  of  a  holy,  sovereign  and  merciful  God.* 


*  It  is  somewhat  surprising-,  that  all  who  take  the  bible  for  their  guide, 
should  not  be  harmonious  in  this  treatment  of  sinners.  It  is  too  plain  to  ad- 
mit of  doubt,  that  the  bible  "  now  commands  all  men  every  where  to  repent ;' ' 
and  that  Christ  and  his  apostles  urged  their  hearers  to  repent  and  believe  the 
gospel.  Truth  is  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  only  instrument  of  convic- 
tion, conversion  and  sanctification.  If  we  substitute  something  else  in  its 
place,  we  have  no  right  to  expect  a  blessing.  Whatever  difficulties  our  lim- 
ited intellects,  and  blind  hearts,  may  have  respecting  human  agency  and  de- 
pendence, or  the  power  of  sinners  to  repent  and  believe,  surely  we  ought  to 
confide  in  the  wisdom  of  Him,  who  gave  to  man  his  powers,  and  requires  an 
entire  consecration  of  them  to  his  service.  To  give  any  other  direction  to1 
sinners  respecting  their  duty,  than  God  ha9  given,  i9  to  be  wise  above  what 
is  written,  and  in  effect  to  arraign  the  adorable  God  before  the  tribunal  of 
human  judgment,  and  justify  the  sinner  in  disobedience.  To  direct  sinners 
H  to  wait,''  or  "  to  keep  on,''  while  impenitent,  is,  in  fact,  to  give  them  the 
most  dishonourable  ideas  of  God  as  moral  governor,  and  to  destroy  all  genu- 
ine conviction.  If  such  sinners  are  converted,  these  notions  will  obscure  thg 
eye  of  tbeir  faith  ;  and  unless  removed,  will  make  them  dwarfs  in  religion. 
It  would  be  well  for  those  who  tell  a  convicted  sinner  "  to  wait,'*  "  to  keep 
on,"  M  you  are  in  a  good  way,1'  &c.  to  ask  themselves  what  answer  they  will- 
give  to  such  a  sinner  at  the  judgment,  should  God  take  away  his  life  while 
following  their  directions,  who  should  ask,  why  did  you  not  tell  me  to  do  thai: 
which  would  have  secured  my  salvation  ?  We  apprehend  that  want  of  unifor- 
mity on  this  subject,  arises  from  an  erroneous  philosophy  respecting  the  hu- 
man mind,  rather  than  from  any  obscurity  in  the  directions  given  inthe  word 
oTGod. 


\'Q  The  visits  of  ministers,  professors  and  others,  wuere  revivals  had 
commenced,  have  had  a  powerful  effect  in  extending  the  work.  Min- 
isters and  private  Christians  have  thus  been  refreshed:  When  they  re- 
turned home,  they  have  told  others,  and  exhorted  their  brethren  to  awake. 
Sinners  have  in  many  cases  returned,  rejoicing  in  hope,  or  deeply  con- 
victed.    Thus  the  holy  fire  has  spread  and  blazed  in  every  direction* 

1 1 .  The  preaching  and  other  labours  of  evangelists  have  been  a  "ver\ 
obvious  and  efficient  means  of  originating  and  carrying  forward  the 
work.*     Ministers  have  thus  received  essential  assistance.     More  min- 

'*  The  labours  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Finney  have  been  eminently  blessed  in  pro- 
moting this  revival.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Nash,  and  three  or  four  young  men  who 
have  recently  finished  their  course  of  study  at  the  theological  seminary  in 
Auburn,  have  also  rendered  essential  service. 

As  much  has  been  said,  at  home  and  abroad,  respecting  the  character  and 
proceedings  of  Mr.  Finney,  it  will  probably  be  expected  that  the  committee 
will  not  be  silent  respecting  him.  We  think  it  due  to  him,  and  to  the  cause 
of  Christ,  which  we  believe  he  loves,  to  state,  that  his  christian  character, 
since  he  made  a  profession  of  religion,  has  been  irreproachable.  He  was  a 
subject  of  the  revival  in  Adams,  a  few  years  since,  under  the  preaching  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Gale.  He  then  left  the  study  of  the  law,  and  entered  upon  the 
study  of  divinity.  He  was  licensed  by  the  presbytery  of  St.  Lawrence,  and 
is  now  a  member  of  the  presbytery  of  Oneida.  He  possesses  a  discriminat- 
ing and  well  balanced  mind  ;  has  a  good  share  of  courage  and  decision  ;  pos- 
sesses naturally  a  good  temper;  is  frank  and  magnanimous  in  his  deport- 
ment— ardent  and  persevering  in  the  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  office  ; 
exhibits  as  much  discretion  and  judgment,  as  those  who  may  think  him  defi- 
cient in  these  qualities  would  do,  did  they  possess  his  zeal  and  activity  ;  and. 
on  the  whole,  is  as  well  calculated  to  be  extensively  useful  in  promoting  revi- 
vals of  religion,  as  any  man  of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge.  To  say  that 
he  never  errs,  is  more  than  can,  with  truth,  be  said  of  any  man,  who  has  ev- 
er done  much  to  promote  the  temporal  or  spiritual  interests  of  his  fellow  men. 

We  confess,  we  feel  no  great  respect  for  those  who  sit  down  in  ignoble 
ease,  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  and  make  their  sage  remarks  upon  the 
imprudence  of  those  who  M  bear  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day."  The  sol- 
dier, who,  in  the  hour  of  battle,  which  tries  men's  souls,  skulks  away  into 
some  secure  place,  and  there  employs  himself  in  watching  the  bold  and  the 
brave,  and  charging  them  with  want  of  wisdom  and  discretion,  deserves  to  he 
condemned  for  his  cowardice,  instead  of  being  applauded  for  his  sagacity. 
Wisdom,  judgment,  and  discretion,  are  important  virtues  in  the  soldiers  of 
Christ ;  but  of  all  men  in  the  world,  the  professed  minister  of  the  gospel  is 
the  most-unwise  and  imprudent,  who  dares  to  incur  the  displeasure  of  almigh- 
ty God,  and  expose  the  souls  of  his  fellow  men  to  eternal  death,  by  his  un- 
'oes? 


l 


46 

laterul  labour,  which  was  so  much  needed,  Un*>  tJius"  feeep-  bcstow'cU: 
than  one  man  could  have  performed.  The  opinion  of  some,  that  there 
ought  to  be  evangelists  in  the  church,  whose  principal  business  should 
be  to  aid  sottled  ministers  in  the  frequent  revivals  which  prevail  in  our 
country,  is  strengthened  by  their  usefulness  in  this  revival.  Whether 
provision  should  be  made  for  their  support,  by  societies  formed  for  the 
purpose,  or  whether  this  should  be  left  to  the  liberality  of  churches  and 
individuals  benefitted  by  their  labours,  is  a  question  which  the  commit- 
tee feel  incompetent  to  decide.  The  future  providence  of  God  may 
throw  light  on  this  subject. 

12.  United,  agonizing,  persevering  prayer.  This  has  evidently  been 
one  of  the  principal  means,  which  God  has  blessed,  in  originating  and 
extending  this  work  of  grace.  The  promises  of  God,  made  to  prayer, 
have  been  frequently  presented ;  and  Christians,  encouraged  by  these 
promises,  have  wrestled  with  the  God  of  Jacob,  in  public  prayer-meetr 
ings,  and  in  the  family,  and  the  closet.  Prayer-meetings  have  be^n 
numerous  and  frequent  in  most  of  the  churches.  Small  circles  for  prayed 
have  been  held  by  Christians,  where  both  sexes  have  engaged  in  this 
fluty,  and  where  individuals  have  often  been  made  the  subjects  of  special 
prayer.  In  these  little  circles,  Christians  have  enjoyed  the  presence  of 
God,  and  have  had  great  freedom  and  boldness  in  approaching  the 
throne  of  grace.  Never  have  our  churches  generally  appeared  to  en- 
tertain so  delightful  and  exalted  ideas  of  God,  as  the  hearer  of  the 
jfrayer  of  faith.* 

*As  much  has  been  said  respecting  the  prayer  of  faith,  it  may  be  expected 
that  the  committee  will  say  something  of  its  nature  and  efficacy.  There  is 
doubtless  no  effectual  prayer  without  faith ;  for  "  without  faith  it  is  impossible 
to  please  God ;  for  he  that  cometh  to  God,  must  believe  that  he  is,  and  that  he 
U  the  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him."  Although  there  is  some 
diversity  of  opinion,  and  not  a  little  darkness,  respecting  the  interpretation 
and  extent  of  some  of  the  promises  made  to  prayer ;  yet  we  are  not  aware 
that  any  views  prevail  among  us,  to  any  extent,  materially  different  from 
what  are  expressed  by  President  Edwards,  in  his  sermon,  entitled,  "  The 
Most  High,  a  prayer-hearing  God;"*  and  by  Calvin,  particularly  in  his  com- 
mentary on  the  prayer  of  Paul,  respecting  the  thorn  in  the  flesh.  2  Cor.  xii.  B. 
As  this  is  in  Latin,  and  in  the  hands  of  few  readers,  we  give  it  entire,  with 
as  literal  a  translation  as  possible  :— - 

*'  For  this  I  besought  the  Lord  thrice.     Thrice,  here,  is  put  for  frequedt: 
repetition.     But  he  would  signify  that  this  vexation,  which  he  often  depra 
rated,  wag  very  troublesome ;  for  nad  it  been  light  and  easy  tft  be  DorrJe',  lie 


iS.  The  lustructions  given  in  Sabbath  schools  and  bible  classes  have 
been  eminently  blessed.  A  large  number  of  those  who  belong  to  ou? 
Sabbath  schools  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  piety.  Superintendents 
und  teachers  have  in  many  cases  been  the  honoured  instruments  of  their 
conversion.  In  several  instances,  most  of  the  members  of  bible  da 
have  become  converts,  and  promise  to  be  among  the  most  stable  and 
valuable  members  of  our  churches  ;  and  should  bible  classes  and  Sab- 
bath schools  continue  to  multiply,  as  they  have  done  a  few  years  past, 
•we.  may  hope  the  time  will  soon  arrive  when  most  of  the  rising  gene- 
ration will  be  converted  in  youth,  and  that  the  violent  "  stirs"  now 
raised  against  revivals,  will  cease  for  want  of  materials. 

would  not  have  desired  so  strongly  to  be  delivered  from  it.  He  says,  never- 
theless, that  he  did  not  obtain  ;  whence  it  appears  how  necessary  it  was 
that  he  should  be  bumbled.  Therefore,  he  confirms  what  he  had  before  said, 
that  he  was  held  by  this  rein,  lest  he  should  boast ;  for  if  a  liberation  would 
have  been  useful,  he  never  would  have  suffered  a  repulse.  But  then  it  may 
appear  to  follow,  that  Paul  by  no  means  prated  infaith,  unless  we  would  make 
all  the  promises  of  God  vain.  Every  where  we  hear  in  scripture,  that  we 
obtain  whatever  we  pray  for  in  faith.  Paul  prays,  and  he  does  not  obtain. 
I  answer,  as  the  manner  of  praying  is  different,  so  there  are  two  kinds  of 
prayer.  We  pray  freely  concerning  those  things  for  which  we  have  a  cer- 
tain promise  ;  such  as  the  coming  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  the  sanctification 
of  his  name,  the  remission  of  sins,  and  whatever  is  salutary  for  us.  But 
when  we  suppose  that  the  kingdom  of  God  can  be,  nay,  ought  to  be,  pro- 
moted in  this  or  in  that  wayy  we  often  err  in  opinion.  In  like  manner,  as  to 
what  respects  our  own  good,  we  are  often  mistaken.  Confidently,  therefore, 
and  without  exception,  may  we  pray  for  the  former  things.  But  to  prescribe 
the  way  (modum)  is  not  our  business ;  but  if  we  express  the  mode,  a  tacit 
condition  is  always  included.  Paul  was  not  so  ignorant  as  not  to  know  this  : 
wherefore,  as  to  the  end  of  his  petition,  without  doubt,  he  was  heard,  although 
he  was  repulsed  as  to  the  precise  form ;  whence  we  are  admonished  not  to 
despond  in  mind,  as  if  we  had  lost  our  labour  in  praying,  when  God  does 
not  satisfy,  or  is  not  obedient  to  our  supplications.  But  his  grace  ought 
to  satiify  us,  that  is,  that  we  are  not  deserted  by  him.  For  this  is  the  reason 
why,  sometimes,  he  mercifully  denies  to  his  children  what  in  anger  he  grant? 
to  the  wicked,  because  he  can  better  provide  what  is  expedient  for  us  thaa 
our  mind  can  apprehend.** 


What  can  be  done  "to  sustain  and  increase  the  Spirit 
of  Religion  in  our  Churches  ?" 


The  committee  deem  this  an  important  branch  of  the  duty  assigned 
them.  But  they  feel  incompetent  to  do  it  justice  ;  and  judging  from 
the  discussion  at  the  Presbytery,  they  despair  of  giving  entire  satisfac- 
tion. Indeed,  could  they  hope  to  suggest  the  most  important  measures, 
they  should  not  be  very  sanguine  in  their  expectations  that  they  would 
be  extensively  useful.  The  difficulty  is  not  so  much  the  want  of  know- 
ledge in  ministers  and  churches,  as  to  the  best  means  of  doing  good,  as 
the  want  of  a  disposition  to  use  them.  This  is  the  formidable  obstacle 
after  all,  which  lies  in  the  way  of  the  rapid  progress  of  religion  through- 
out  Christendom,  and  of  the  conversion  of  the  world.  Though  the  best 
measures  may  be  pursued,  yet  if  ministers  and  churches  have  not  some 
of  that  holy  energy  which  springs  from  faith,  nothing  will  be  done  to 
any  purpose.  A  cold  unbelieving  heart  will  suggest  a  thousand  diffi- 
culties, and  convert  molehills  into  mountains.  How  often  do  Presbyte- 
ries and  Synods,  and  other  ecclesiastical  bodies,  recommend  and  publish 
measures  for  promoting  religion,  which,  however  wise,  fail  of  doing 
much  good,  because  ministers  and  churches  have  not  the  zeal  and 
the  perseverance  necessary  to  carry  them  into  effect !  Had  every  minis- 
ter the  courage  of  a  Luther,  the  perseverance  of  a  Howard,  and  the 
activity  of  a  Whitfield,  with  half  a  dozen  kindred  spirits  in  their  church- 
es, Satan  himself  would  tremble  before  them,  and  the  gates  of  hell 
would  give  way.  But  the  misery  is,  the  faith  necessary  to  produce  such 
resolute  spirits' is  wanting  ;  and  after  a  few  efforts,  and  a  little  success, 
ministers  and  churches  turn  off  their  eyes  from  heaven  and  hell,  cease 
to  listen  to  the  dread  commands  of  heaven's  King,  put  off  their  ar- 
mour, sit  down  at  ease,  talk  about  the  revival,  boast  of  what  they  have 
done,  then  yawn  and  fall  asleep.  Now  the  silence  of  death  reigns 
through  the  armies  of  Israel,  who  ought  never  to  sleep  as  do  others. 
The  enemv  enters.     None  to  watch  his  movements,*  he  undoes  all  tha* 


4» 

bias-  fceen  done,   and  spreads  mischief  and  destruction  on  every  side 
Biit  notwithstanding  tiiese  gloomy  forebodings,  the  committee,  in  com.- 
pliance  with    their  duty,   will  venture  to  suggest  a   few   things,  with 
the  hope  that  they  may  be  of  some  practical  utility  to  themselves  and 
others. 

1 .  Let  our  ministers  and  churches  keep  constantly  in  mind  the  great 
responsibility  which  rests  upon  them,  to  "  be  steadfast,  immoveable,  al- 
ways abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord."  God,  brethren,  has  granted 
us  signal  tokens  of  grace,  whereof  we  are  glad.  The  eyes  of  many, 
both  among  friends  and  enemies,  are  turned  upon  us.  Should  our  min- 
isters and  churches  sink  down  into  a  cold  stupid  state,  as  is  sometimes 
the  case  after  a  revival ;  should  divisions  and  dissensions  spring  up 
among  us,  the  God  of  all  our  mercies  will  be  dishonoured,  many  who 
love  his  name  will  be  grieved,  and  his  enemies  will  triumph. 

Let  us  also  remember  that  the  place  we  occupy  in  the  Lord's  vineyard. 
though  not  as  conspicuous  and  important  as  some,  yet  is  one  of  great 
responsibility.  This  county  is  rapidly  increasing  in  wealth  and  popula- 
tion, is  in  the  heart  of  the  most  powerful  state  in  the  Union,  and  is  des- 
tined to  have  no  inconsiderable  influence  upon  morals  and  religion 
around  us.  Let  every  minister  and  every  church  among  us  resolve,  in 
dependence  on  divine  grace,  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  render  this  coun- 
ty eminent  for  virtue  and  piety  ;  and  that  should  it  ever  become  a  mor- 
al waste,  euch  a  disaster  shall  not  be  traced  to  the  influence  of  their  ex- 
ample.* 

*  In  a  revival,  it  is  not  uncommon  for  some  to  feel  as  though  it  would  nev- 
«r  cease  till  the  millonium  ;  aDd  for  others  to  say  it  never  would,  if  ministers 
and  churches  were  faithful.  One  thing  all  must  admit,  that  aH  revivals  hith- 
erto have  ceased  ;  and  it  has  often  been  the  case,  that  churches  blessed  with 
such  seasons  of  refreshing,  have  afterwards  sunk  down  into  as  lukewarma 
state  as  those  which  have  not  enjoyed  such  seasons.  These  facts  have  led 
eome  to  think  and  speak  lightly  of  revivals,  and  to  doubt  whether  there  was 
much  genuine  religion  in  them.  Churches,  through  remaining  sin,  are  con- 
stantly prone  to  become  conformed  in  heart  and  life  to  the  world.  But  were 
a  church  to  continue  as  faithful  in  prayer  and  christian  effort,  as  they  ever  are 
in  a  time  of  revival,  it  may  be  a  question  whether  conversions  would  con- 
tinue in  that  place  till  none  were  left.  It  may  be,  that  some  would  continue 
'o  harden  their  hearts  under  such  means  of  grace  ;  and  the  duty  of  the  church 
would  be  bo  longer  to  "  give  that  which  is  holy  to  dogs,  nor  to  cast  their 
pearls  before  swine.'7  But  one  thing  is  certain  ;  ministers  and  churches  are 
bound  to  exercise  as  much  faith*,   znd  to  he.  as  fervent  in  prayer,  and  as  ddi- 


0 

2.  Let  those  of  us  who  have  been  put  into  the  ministry,  strive  to  b<« 
in  deed  and  in  truth,  men  of  prayer.  If  the  command,  "  Pray  without 
ceasing,"  be  obligatory  on  all,  it  is  emphatically  so  on  a  minister  of  tin- 
gospel.  He  needs  above  all  men,  to  be  "full  of  faith  and  the  HoK 
Ghost ;"  and  how  shall  he  become  such,  except  by  seeking  the  influen- 
ces of  the  Spirit  in  agonizing  and  persevering  prayer  ?  The  most  emi 
nent  saints  whose  names  are  recorded  in  scripture,  and  those  ministers 
who  have  been  distinguished  for  usefulness  in  every  age  of  the  church, 
have  been  praying  men.  A  well  known  maxim  of  Luther  was,  "  Bene 
orasse  est  bene  studuisse."  This  maxim  might  with  equal  truth  be  ex- 
tended. The  minister  who  is  faithful  in  his  closet,  will  be  faithful,  not 
only  in  his  study,  but  in  the  pulpit,  in  his  parochial  visits,  and  in  all  the 
various  duties  of  his  office.  We  would  appeal  to  your  own  experience, 
"brethren,  whether  you  have  not  be.en  most  faithful  in  the  discharge  of 
every  duty,  when  you  have  been  most  careful  to  cherish  and  cultivate  a 
devotional  frame  of  mind  ?  Did  ministers  in  general  spend  five  hours  in 
communion  with  God,  where  they  spend  one,  the  church  of  Christ  would 
be  far  more  benefitted  by  their  labours.  It  is  in  the  closet,  while  earn- 
estly pleading  for  spiritual  illumination,  that  the  minister  of  the  gospel  is 
taught  the  value  of  God's  eternal  smiles,  and  the  worth  of  the  souls  com- 
mitted to  his  care.  It  is  here  that  he  is  endued  with  that  holy  boldness 
and  self-denial,  so  essential  to  his  usefulness.  It  is  here  that  he  sees  his 
own  weakness,  and  learns  to  trust  in  God  alone  for  strength,  and  fear  no 
evil.  O,  brethren,  did  we  suitably  prize  the  throne  of  grace,  we  should  be 
often  there  pleading  for  those  inestimable  blessings,  which  our  heavenly 
Father  is  more  ready  to  grant,  than  earthly  parents  are  to  give  good  gifts 
to  their  children.  How  much  we  need,  at  this  important  crisis,  that, 
"wisdom  which  is   profitable  to  direct ;"  and  can  we  fail  to  ask  of 

gent  in  the  use  of  means  to  advance  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  some  way,  a't 
all  times,  as  in  a  season  of  revival.  The  amount  of  holy  feeling  and  effort 
ought  never  to  diminish ;  and  were  a  church  to  remain  such,  their  christian 
graces  would  be  constantly  gaining-  strength ;  and  in  this  sense  they  would 
enjoy  a  constant  revival.  Let  no  means  be  neglected  which  are  calculated 
to  make  such  churches,  and  then  we  shall  be  better  able  to  judge  whether 
we  may  expect  a  constant  revival.  Were  our  churches  such,  revivals  would 
doubtless  be  more  extensive  than  they  now  are,  and  of  longer  continuance. 
Old  hardened  sinners  would  soon  be  removed  by  death,  and  the  rising  gene- 
ration would  all  be  converted.  Thus  we  should  have  in  these  favoured  spot6'^ 
the  commencement  of  the  millennium  ;  and  were  all  the  churches  of  Christen- 
dom roused  to  such  exertions,  there  would  be  one  continued  revival,  till  a!! 
nations  ^  ere  converted. 


JO 

Hun  ••  wrho  givetb  liberally  and  upbraideth  not  V — Tne  revival  tliat  has  • 
prevailed  among  us,  and  which  still  prevails,  has  enraged  the  enemies  of 
the  cross  ;  and  the  voice  of  God  to  his  ministers  and  churches  now  is, 
"  Watch  and  pray."  Let  us,  brethren,  beware  that  we  do  not  disregard 
the  solemn  admonition.  Our  own  good,  as  well  as  that  of  our  church- 
es, is  concerned.  A  minister  may  show  considerable  zeal  in  religion, 
and  even  in  promoting  revivals,  and  after  having  preached  to  others,  he 
himself  may  be  a  castaway. 

3.  Ministers  must  endeavour  to  strengthen  each  other's  hands.  We 
are,  brethren,  subject  to  like  passions  with  others.  In  despondency 
under  trials,  we  need  the  counsel  and  sympathy  of  our  fellow  labourers. 
In  a  season  like  the  present,  some,  and  those  who  are  perhaps  the  most 
faithful,  will  be  charged  with  indiscretion.  Let  us  beware  that  we  do 
not  weaken  their  hands  by  siding  with  the  enemy.  Envy  sometimes 
lurks  in  the  breast  of  ministers,  and  shows  itself  in  secret  whisperings, 
which  spread  and  undermine  the  influence  of  their  brethren  more  effec- 
tually than  the  open  opposition  of  professed  enemies.  If  we  discover 
errors  in  our  brethren,  let  us  act  the  part  of  friendship,  by  telling  them 
their  faults,  as  our  Saviour,  whose  commands  we  profess  to  follow,  di- 
rects, instead  of  talking  to  others.  Let  us  not  forget  the  royal  law,  of 
doing  to  them  as  we  would  they  should  do  unto  us.  Those  whose  soci- 
eties are  contiguous,  might  do  each  other  essential  service,  by  meeting 
occasionally,  and  consulting  upon  the  best  means  of  removing  difficul- 
ties, and  promoting  religion  in  their  respective  congregations.  Were 
they  to  assist  each  other  on  important  occasions,  such  as  days  of  fasting 
and  prayer,  and  church  conferences,  they  might  increase  each  other's 
influence  and  usefulness.  By  confining  his  labours  exclusively  to  one 
congregation,  a  minister  insensibly  loses  his  interest  in  other  societies. 
Those  who  have  laboured  much  as  missionaries,  we  apprehend,  feel 
a  deeper  interest  than  others  in  the  general  welfare  of  the  church  of 
Christ. 

4.  Frequent  ministerial  visitation  is  essential  to  sustaining  and  in- 
creasing religion  in  our  churches.  We  have  seen  the  effects  of  visiting 
from  house  to  house  in  this  revival ;  and  we  rarely  read  an  account  of  a 
revival  which  did  not  originate  from  such  visits.  When  revivals  begin 
to  decline,  ministers  are  in  great  danger  of  neglecting  this  duty.  Let 
ns,  brethren,  guard  against  such  neglect.  It  is  as  important  now  as  ev- 
er. Converts  need  our  counsel.  Their  growth  in  grace  is  as  intimate- 
ly connected  with  the  glory  of  Go<\  as  their  conversion.     One  cause 


51 

why  many  backslide  is,  that  ministers  and  influential  members  neglect  to 
watch  over  them  according  to  their  covenant  engagements.  It  is  a  great 
mistake  to  suppose  that  the  plants  of  righteousness  are  like  tares,  in  the 
great  field  of  nature,  and  will  grow  and  thrive  without  cultivation.  How 
many  old  professors,  who  go  into  places  where  they  enjoy  few  religious 
adyantages,  become  cold,  conformed  to  the  world,  and  at  length  are 
even  ashamed  to  have  it  known  that  they  were  ever  numbered  with  the 
children  of  God.  And  are  we  to  expect  that  mere  babes  in  Christ  Je- 
sus may  be  neglected  without  injury  ?  It  is  the  imperious  duty  of  minis- 
ters to  feed  these  babes  in  Christ  with  knowledge,  and  by  affectionate 
counsel  encourage  them  to  perseverance.  With  an  eye  of  compassion 
fixed  on  them,  Jesus  says  to  us,  brethren,  "  Lovest  thou  me  ?"  Answer 
him,  and  forget  not  his  direction.  By  visiting  from  house  to  house,  a 
pastor  becomes  intimately  acquainted  with  the  spiritual  wants  of  his 
flock,  and  his  public  instructions  are  more  appropriate.  Mutual  friend- 
ship is  promoted.  A  minister  takes  a  deeper  interest  in  his  people. 
He  preaches  wTith  more  pleasure  to  them,  and  they  are  more  attentive  to 
his  instruction.  The  duties  of  ministers  are  arduous  ;  but  visiting  is  one 
which  cannot  be  neglected  without  injury  to  their  flocks.  One  cause 
of  the  woe  denounced  by  God  against  unfaithful  pastors,  in  the  days  of 
Jeremiah,  was,  that  they  had  not  visited  his  Jlock.  (Jer.  23,  2.)  Most 
ministers  consider  it  their  duty  to  visit  the  sick  and  dying,  but  are  prone 
to  neglect  those  in  health.  The  reflection  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Manly,  in 
the  preceding  narrative,  (see  the  account  from  Boonville),  is.worthycf 
notice,  and  his  resolution  ought  to  be  adopted  by  every  pastor.  Sick- 
bed repentance  often  proves  spurious  upon  the  return  of  health.  It  is 
a  fact,  too,  worthy  of  notice,  that  revivals  prevail  almost  invariably  in  a 
general  time  of  health.  Ministers  ought  to  be  assisted  in  visiting  by  the 
elders,  or  influential  members  of  the  churches. 

5.  Occasional  seasons  of  fasting  and  prayer.  When  a  church  can  bo 
brought  to  feel  the  importance  of  such  seasons,  they  have  ever  been  use- 
ful. If  one  or  two  of  the  days  appointed  for  a  lecture  preparatory  to 
communion,  were  in  the  course  of  the  year  spent  in  fasting  and  prayer, 
we  believe  they  would  be  more  useful  to  our  churches.  Let  the  former 
part  of  the  day,  as  recommended  by  President  Edwards,  be  spent  in  lit- 
tle social  meetings  for  prayer  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  let  the  whole  church 
assemble  together. 

6.  It  would  be  useful  to  our  churches  occasionally  to  renew  their  cov- 
enant with  God  and  one  another.     Great  nains  should  be  taken  to  pre- 


a  church  for  tiiis  solemn  act.  It  bad  belter  not  be  done  at  alii  than 
in  a  formal)  unfeeling  manner.  We  would  recommend  that  it  should  be 
done  on  the  Sabbath  succeeding  a  season  of  fasting  and  prayer. 

7.  Great  pains  should  be  taken  to  keep  up  and  to  increase  that  spirit 
of  prayers  which  has  prevailed  in  our  churches  the  year  past,  and  which 
<till  prevails.  One  or  more  weekly  prayer-meetings  in  every  neighbour- 
hood, lor  professors,  would  tend  to  cherish  this  spirit.  Occasional  meet- 
ings for  members  of  the  church  with  their  pastor,  tor  free  conversation 
and  prayer,  would  tend  to  preserve  this  devotional  spirit  in  our  church- 
es. In  family  prayer,  where  there  are  several  members  who  arc  profess- 
ors, it  would  be  useful  occasionally  for  all  to  take  a  part,  especially  on 
the  Sabbath.  We  should  like  to  see  such  family  prayer-meetings  com- 
mon among  us.  Young  professors  would  thus  become  accustomed  to 
leading  in  prayer,  and  would  be  prepared  for  a  more  public  performance 
of  the  duty.  Such  young  converts  would  be  less  likely  to  neglect  the 
important  duty  of  family  prayer  in  future  life.  But  secret  prayer  we 
deem  the  most  important  of  all ;  and  we  think  it  is  particularly  incum- 
bent on  ministers,  at  this  time,  to  point  out  the  nature  and  importance  of 
this  duty,  and  to  urge  professors  to  a  faithful  performance  of  it.  Declen- 
sion has  its  origin  in  the  heart,  and  makes  its  first  appearance  in  the  cold 
performance  or  neglect,  of  private  meditation,  self-examination  and 
prayer.  So  long  as  our  old  professors  and  our  converts  are  faithful  in 
these  private  duties,  religion  will  not  visibly  decline  in  our  churches. 

8.  Let  judicious  discipline  be  faithfully  maintained  in  our  churches. 
This  is  one  of  the  means  which  Christ  has  enjoined  for  the  honour  of  his 
name  and  the  purity  of  his  church.  If  neglected,  we  have  no  reason  to 
expect  his  blessing.  We  are  persuaded  that  the  church  of  Christ  sutlers 
very  much  from  an  alarming  neglect  of  this  duty.  In  some  churches  in 
<>ur  land  it  has  so  long  been  neglected,  and  scandalous  sins  have  become 
so  extensive,  that  it  is  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  exercise  discipline. 
God  forbid  this  should  ever  be  the  case  with  our  churches,  by  neglecting 
this  duty  while  it  can  be  performed.  But  even  when  discipline  is  admin- 
istered, it  is  often  done  in  such  a  manner  that  it  does  comparatively  little 
good.  While  it  is  prosecuted  with  decision  and  firmness,  let  it  be  done 
with  christian  meekness  and  tenderness,  not  as  though  we  were  lording 
it  over  God's  heritage.  A  tier  discipline  is  commenced,  churches  ought 
10  pray  specially  for  the  subjects  of  it,  that  it  may  be  effectual  in  re- 
claiming them.  When  ministers  and  ciders  are.  engaged  in  visiting  con- 
victed sinners  and  conversing  with  them,  the  prayers  of  the  church  aro 


>3 

deemed  important  to  the  success,  of  these  mean's  ;  and  win  not  in  fir; 
administration  of  discipline  I  The  great  body  oi*  our  members  seem  \» 

feel  as  though  they  were  not  particularly  interested  in  the  administration 

of  discipline.  This  is  verily  a  fault  among  us.  Let  our  churches  be  ex- 
horted to  pray  for  the  subjects  of  discipline,  that  they  may  be  reclaimed. 
If  they  are  excluded  from  the  communion  of  the  church,  let  them  be 
exhorted  still  to  pray  that  this  last  act  of  discipline  may  be  blessed  to 
their  irood,  to  the  good  of  the  church  and  of  the  world. 

9.  Let  meetings  of  inquiry  be  kept  up,  wherever  they  can  be,  in  our 
churches.  Relinquishing  such  meetings  has  sometimes  hastened  the 
decline  of  revivals.  In  some  churches  these  meetings  have  been  kept 
up  for  years.  To  give  them  interest,  when  there  are  few  inquirers,  it 
may  be  useful  to  vary  the  instruction.  Some  doctrinal  or  practical  sub,- 
ject  might  be  discussed,  and  questions  put  to  those  present. 

10.  We  would  urge  the  members  of  our  churches  to  converse  with 
their  friends  and  neighbours  on  the  subject  of  religion.  There  is  a  re- 
markable backwardness  extensively  prevalent  among  Christians  on  this 
subject.  A  professor  of  religion  will  live  for  years  on  intimate  terms 
with  an  impenitent  neighbour,  converse  freely  with  him  about  all  hi9 
worldly  concerns,  and  never  open  his  mouth  to  him  upon  the  momen- 
tous concerns  of  his  soul.  Why  is  this  ?  If  his  neighbour  were  in  dan- 
ger of  losing  his  property,  and  such  professor  foreseeing  the  evil,  should 
neglect  to  give  him  timely  notice,  he  would  be  regarded  by  the  whole 
community  a  cold-blooded  monster.  Is  not  much  of  the  infidelity  of  the 
world  to  be  ascribed  to  this  sinful  neglect  on  the  part  of  professors  of 
religion  ?  Men  of  the  world  are  not  fools.  May  they  not  often  thus  rea- 
son with  themselves  ?  These  professed  Christians  do  not  believe  we  are 
in  danger  of  going  to  hell,  unless  we  repent  and  embrace  the  gospel. 
If  they  did,  they  would  show  their  love  to  us,  by  warning  us  of  danger, 
and  urging  us  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Let  the  members  of  our 
churches,  as  well  as  our  ministers,  take  heed  that  the  blood  of  souls  be 
not  required  at  their  hands,  by  neglecting  to  "  warn  the  wicked  from  his 
way/'  The  reason  why  those  who  attempt  this  duty,  are  considered  by 
some  as  meddling  with  what  does  not  belong  to  them,  is,  that  it  is  so 
generally  neglected.  It  is  deemed  impolite  and  even  unnatural  not  to 
inquire  after  the  health  of  our  neighbour  ;  but  if  his  soul  is  sick  unto 
death  are  we  to  be  unconcerned  ?  The  politician  thinks  himself  justified 
in  conversing  with  his  neighbours,  yea,  with  Christians,  upon  politics, 
and  discussing  every  subject  connected  with  the  welfare  of  the  commit* 


-.1 

;  and  sbali  u  be  deemed  impertinent  for  Christians  to  converse  with 
their  neighbours  respecting  the  character  and  government  of  the  King 
of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,  and  the  duties  which  his  subjects  owe  him  ' 
{Sinners  have  taken  the  lead  in  conversing  with  Christians  upon  subjects 
of  interest  to  themselves,  long  enough.  It  is  time  for  the  church  to  as- 
sert her  rights  ;  and  if  the  world  will  not  permit  her  to  converse  with 
them,  let  her  refuse  to  listen  to  the  world.  If  religion  ever  prevails  ex- 
tensively, a  very  great  change  will  take  place  in  the  churches  of  Christ 
in  relation  to  this  duty.  Brethren,  were  you,  who  are  members  of  our 
churches,  in  the  habit  of  conversing  with  each  other,  and  with  the  im- 
penitent, on  religious  subjects,  in  the  same  free  and  familiar  manner  that 
you  do  on  other  subjects,  you  might  do  more  to  promote  religion  than 
your  ministers  can  do  by  their  parochial  visits.  We  beseech  you,  there- 
lore,  brethren,  "  Let  your  conversation  be  suck  as  becometh  the  gospel 
<of  Christ." 

11.  Let  heads  of  families  be  more  attentive  to  the  religious  instruc- 
tion of  their  households.  If  we  mistake  not,  there  is  danger  in  this  day 
of  public  action  of  losing  sight,  in  some  measure,  of  this  important  duty. 
All  experience  teaches  us,  that  those  converts  who  have  been  well  edu- 
cated in  religious  families  are  by  far  the  most  valuable  members  of  our 
diurches.  Others,  if  converted,  have  in  many  cases  contracted  so  many 
bad  habits,  and  are  so  grossly  ignorant  on  many  religious  subjects,  that 
they  are  comparatively  of  little  use  to  the  church.  It  would  be  well  for 
our  ministers  to  preach  on  the  subject  of  family  prayer  and  the  religious 
instruction  of  households  ;  and  in  their  parochial  visits  let  them  be  par- 
ticular in  their  inquiries  respecting  the  performance  of  these  duties,  and 
in  giving  instruction  respecting  the  right  performance  of  the  same.  One 
great  end  of  the  baptism  of  households  is,  that  parents,  and  minister?, 
and  churches,  may  thus  be  impressed  with  their  obligation  to  bring  them 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  How  many  of  them 
grow  up  infidels  in  consequence  of  the  violation  of  covenant  engagements. 
How  rarely  do  we  hear  ministers  pray  for  these  children  of  the  church, 
or  that  their  parents  may  be  faithful  to  their  promises.  Deep  repent- 
ance for  unfaithfulness,  and  a  thorough  reformation  in  this  respect,  is 
much  needed  in  our  churches. 

VI.  Let  all  the  private  members  of  our  churches  be  urged  to  a  punc- 
tual performance  of  moral  duties,  in  their  intercourse  with  each  other 
and  with  the  world.  Let  them  be  strictly  honest  in  all  their  dealings, 
•rather  suffering  wrorrg  than  doinc  wronu.     Let  them  he  careHil  nev.er 


5$ 

u>  violate  their  word.  A  proTessor  sboulti  make  il  a  matter  of  con* 
science  strictly  to  adhere  to  his  promises,  and  to  be  punctual  in  thr 
payment  of  his  debts.  He  should  be  careful  to  avoid  every  thing  like 
hypocrisy  aud  deceit,  yea,  the  "  very  appearance  of  evil,"  in  the  busi- 
ness of  this  world.  Never  should  he  forget  the  golden  rulo,  of  doing  to 
others  as  he  would  tltey  should  do  unto  him. 

Incalculable  mischief  is  done,  even  by  professors  of  religion,  in  the  fre- 
quent violation  of  the  plainest  rules  of  morality.  Prejudices  are  thus  pro- 
duced in  the  minds  of  men  of  the  world,  especially  those  termed  men  of 
business,  against  religion  itself,  which  it  is  difficult  to  remove.  If  defraud- 
ed, or  deceived,  or  disappointed,  by  a  professor,  he  can  do  them  no  good 
Until  he  repents  and  confesses  his  fault  to  them.  Every  minister,  who 
has  had  any  experience  in  revivals  of  religion,  has  often  been  met  with 
these  prejudices,  and  knows  how  difficult  it  is  to  remove  them  ;  and  un- 
til they  can  bring  an  impenitent  sinner  to  turn  off  his  eye  from  the  faults 
of  professors,  and  fix  it  upon  his  own,  there  is  no  hope  of  his  conver- 
sion. Because  irreligious  men  are  sometimes  externally  moral,  many 
professors  are  prone  to  feel  as  though  religion  had  little  connexion 
with  morality.  True  morality  and  religion  are  inseparable.  Worldlv 
men  who  are  moral,  are  not  so  from  love  to  right  and  justice,  or  obedi- 
ence to  God.  If  they  were,  they  would  not  be  guilty  of  the  worst  of 
all  immorality,  that  of  robbing  God.  The  morality  of  the  bible,  is  as 
much  above  the  morality  of  the  world,  in  its  eommon  acceptation,  as 
the  heavens  are  above  the  earth.  Let  every  professor  endeavour  to  pos- 
sess the  morality  of  the  gospel,  and  love  to  do  to  others  as  he  would  they 
should  do  to  him.  Were  a  professor  of  religion  habitually  to  neglect 
the  external  worship  of  God,  in  the  family  or  in  the  sanctuary,  he  would 
be  considered  by  all,  destitute  of  piety.  But  he  who  disregards  the 
moral  duties  of  the  second  table  of  the  law,  has  no  better  claim  to  the 
name  of  Christian.  President  Edwards  says,  these  moral  duties  "  are 
of  much  greater  importance  in  the  sight  of  God,  than  all  the  externals 
of  his  worship  ;"  and  many  of  his  remarks  on  this  subject  are  worthy 
of  the  serious  consideration  of  every  professor  of  religion.*     Let  the 

*  Speaking  of  the  religion  of  the  heart,  he  remarks  : — "  But  of  this  inward 
religion  there  are  two  sorts  of  external  manifestations.  The  one  sort  are 
outward  acts  of  worship,  such  as  meeting  in  religious  assemblies,  attending 
6acraments,  and  other  outoard  institutions,  and  honouring  God  with  ges- 
tures, such  as  bowing  or  kneeling  before  him,  or  with  words,  and  speaking 
nonourably-ef  him  in  prayer,  praise,  or  religious  conference-;  and  the  dlh- 


£>6 

Members  at'  our  churches,  then,  as  they  value  their  own  souls,  and  m* 
souls  of  others,  take  heed  that  they  do  not  disgrace  the  christian  nam* 
Lc  a  violation  of  the  plain  and  simple  rules  of  morality. 

i3.  Let  all  the  members  of  our  churches  resolve  to  use  no  spirituous 
liquors,  and  to  furnish  none  for  those  in  their  employment,  except  as  a 
medicine.  Many  of  our  brethren  in  other  parts  of  the  country  have 
adopted  this  rule  ;  and  shall  we  not  in  this  day  of  spiritual  visitation  co- 
operate with  them,  in  thus  setting  our  faces  against  that  beastly,  soul- 
destroying  sin,  intemperance,  which  is  producing  such  wide  spread  deso- 
lation through  our  land  ?  It  is  estimated  that  more  than  ten  thousand  die 
annually  by  intemperance ;  that  the  liquor  necessary  to  effect  such  a  fright- 
ful destruction  costs  thirty  millions  of  dollars ;  and  that  three-fourths  of 
all  the  crimes  committed  in  the  United  States  originate  from  this  demoral- 
izing practice  ;  and  shall  we  add  that  hell  itself  is  annually  peopled  with 
ten  thousand  inhabitants  from  this  gospel  land  by  this  abominable  sin, 
and  thirty  millions  of  dollars  are  expended  in  transporting  them  to  their 
dreary  abode  ! ! !  Shall  not  Christians,  then,  in  this  day  of  revivals,  do 
ever}'  thing  possible  to  diminish  this  host  of  drunkards,  who  are  posting 
on  to  ruin. 

How  much  trouble  and  disgrace  is  brought  upon  our  churches  by  tins 
*^» — — i — « — — — - — — ■ — . 

ex  sort  are  the  expressions  of  our  love  to  God,  by  obeying  his  moral  com- 
mands, of  self-denial,  righteousness,  meekness,  and  christian  love,  in  our  be- 
haviour among  men  ;  and  the  latter  are  of  vastly  the  greatest  importance  in 
the  christian  life.  God  makes  little  account  of  the  former  in  comparison  of 
them.  They  are  abundantly  more  insisted  on  by  the  prophets  in  the  Old 
Testament,  and  Christ  and  his  apostles  in  the  New.  Hypocrites  and  self- 
righteous  persons  do  much  more  commonly  abound  in  the  former  kind  of 
duties,  than  the  latter,  as  Christ  remarks  of  the  Pharisees.  They  are  not  so 
properly  showing  our  religion  by  our  deeds,  for  they  are  only  showing  our  re- 
ligion by  word,  or  an  outward  profession.  The  latter  sort  of  duties  put  greater 
honour  upon  God,  because  there  is  greater  self  denial  in  them.  The  exter- 
nal acts  of  worship,  consisting  in  bodily  gestures,  words  and  sounds,  are  the 
cheapest  part  of  religion,  and  least  contrary  to  our  lusts.  The  difficulty  of 
thorough  external  religion  does  not  lie  in  them.  Let  wicked  men  enjoy 
J.hcir  covetousness  and  their  pride,  their  malice,  envy  and  revenge,  and  their 
sensuality  and  voluptuousness,  and  they  will  be  willing  to  compound  the  matter 
with  God,  and  submit  to  what  forms  of  worship  you  please,  and  as  many  as 
you  please ;  as  is  manifest  in  the  Jews  of  old,  in  the  days  of  the  prophets, 
ahu  the  Pharisees  in  Christ's  time,  and  the  Papists  and  Mahometans  at  this 
itj  "—Edy:a*Jf  World  vol  Hi.  page  3 13. 


7 


practice  ?  Half  tlie  cases  of  discipline  grow  out  of  intemperance.  It 
inay  be  estimated  that  one  in  a  hundred  in  our  churches,  is  annually  a 
subject  of  discipline,  or  ought  to  be,  for  this  vice.  Allowing  one 
twelfth  of  our  population  to  be  professors  of  religion,  this  would  make 
ten  thousand  subjects  of  discipline  for  intemperance.  If  then,  ten 
thousand  are  disciplined  annually  for  intemperance,  and  many  of  them 
excommunicated,  and  ten  thousand  in  the  church  and  out  of  it  die  every 
year,  and  go  to  the  regions  of  woe,  shall  it  be  said  that  the  members  of 
our  churches  cannot  be  brought  to  use  this  poison  only  as  a  medicine  ? 
If  the  church  of  Christ  could  save  but  one  of  this  ten  thousand  from 
damnation,  by  refusing  to  taste  this  liquid,  ought  they  not  to  do  it  ?  Did 
Paul  say,  "  If  meat  make  my  brother  to  offend,  I  will  eat  no  flesh  while 
the  world  standeth  ;"  and  shall  not  Christians  of  the  present  day  say,  if 
abstaining  from  drinking  this  intoxicating  liquid,  can  save  one  of  these 
ten  thousand  immortal  souls  from  perishing  forever,  we  will  drink  no 
more  while  life  shall  last  ? 

14.  Let  bible  classes  be  multiplied.  These  classes,  when  well  con- 
ducted, have  received  the  blessing  of  God.  All  the  members  of  our 
churches  should,  if  possible,  attend  upon  such  instruction.  No  means 
would  be  more  effectual  in  leading  them  to  grow  in  knowledge  and  in 
grace.  Many  old  professors  are  so  ignorant,  that  they  are  unfit  to  edu- 
cate their  children  or  to  converse  with  a  convicted  sinner.  But  it  may 
be  asked,  how  shall  biblical  instruction  be  in  this  way  imparted  to  all  ? 
Ministers  feel  as  though  their  burden  was  already  more  than  they  can 
bear.  The  elders  and  most  respectable  members  of  our  churches 
ought  to  be  teachers  of  bible  classes.  There  should  be  a  class  in  every 
neighbourhood  throughout  our  societies.  Let  it  not  be  said  this  is  im- 
practicable ;  our  elders  and  influential  members  can  never  be  brought  to 
do  it.  We  can  never  accomplish  great  things  if  we  do  not  attempt  them. 
Much  difficulty  has  been  experienced  in  many  places,  for  want  of  teach- 
ers, at  the  commencement  of  Sabbath  school  instruction.  But  when  a 
few  have  persevered  with  becoming  zeal,  God  has  granted  them  aid  by 
raising  up  teachers.  These  teachers  are  receiving  as  much  benefit  as 
their  pupils,  and  many  of  them  are  thus  preparing  to  be  better  members 
of  the  church,  better  parents,  and  better  ministers,  in  future  life.  The 
talents  of  the  church  ought  to  be  brought  into  requisition.  Every  church 
is  a  little  army  of  christian  soldiers,  and  each  one  ought  to  be  stationed' 
where  his  talents  may  be  useful,  and  the  whole  moral  and  physical  pow- 
er of  this  little  army  brought  to  bear  upon  the  empire  of  darkness..- 
Many  of  our  elders  are  of  little  use.     If  they  attend  upon  the  stated 


58 

Deetings  of  Session,  and  vote  to  receive  members,  and  to  discipline  the 
irregular,  they  feel  as  though  they  had  done  their  whole  duty.  Thev 
ought  to  be  "  helps"  in  a  far  more  important  sense.  Let  ministers 
instruct  a  bible  class  for  the  members  of  the  church  and  others  who  will 
attend.  Let  the  elders  and  others  selected  for  the  purpose,  instruct  each 
a  class.  At  the  meetings,  let  singing  and  prayers  be  intermixed  with 
the  instruction.  Sometimes  these  meetings  might  be  principally  spent 
in  conference  and  prayer.  We  merely  throw  out  these  hints  respecting 
the  manner  of  conducting  them.  We  doubt  not,  should  such  instruc- 
tion become  general,  that  experience  would  suggest  many  thoughts  more 
useful,  probably,  than  these.  Great  has  been  the  improvement  in  the 
instruction  and  management  of  Sabbath  schools,  and  the  same  would 
be  true  of  bible  classes,  were  they  multiplied  and  continued  from  year 
to  year.  It  might  be  useful  for  the  minister  and  all  the  instructors  to 
have  stated  meetings,  to  report,  to  consult,  and  to  pray  together.  Should 
such  a  system  of  instruction  become  general,  it  would  do  much,  very 
much,  to  preserve  the  moral  health  of  our  churches  ;  and  may  we  not 
suppose  that  this  will  be  one  of  the  great  means,  among  others,  by  which 
the  "  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  God  as  the  waters  fill  the 
seas  ?"  The  Methodist  church  owes  its  numbers,  and  preservation,  and 
piety,  as  much  to  class  meetings,  as  to  any  other  means.  Such  classes 
as  these,  we  doubt  not,  might  be  equally,  and  perhaps  more  useful. 

15.  Let  the  members  of  our  churches  cast  liberally  of  their  substance 
into  the  treasury  of  the  Lord.  If  professors  have  any  true  benevolence, 
frequent  acts  of  christian  liberality  will  strengthen  it.  Covetousness  is 
the  great  sin  of  Christendom.  The  idols  of  the  heathen  we  are  in  little 
danger  of  worshipping.  But  many  a  professor  bows  down  to  mammon, 
with  great  devotion.  Let  ministers  exhibit  the  promises  of  God  made 
to  christian  liberality,  with  as  much  frequency  as  they  have  in  these  re- 
vivals his  promises  to  prayer ;  and  let  them  as  earnestly  and  persevering- 
ly  urge  the  members  of  their  churches  to  prove  their  faith  by  liberal  gifts, 
as  by  agonizing  prayer,  and  good  will  be  done.  They  will  then  be  better 
able  to  judge  of  the  strength  of  their  faith  in  God's  promises,  and  of  the 
genuineness  of  their  conversion.  Let  there  be  a  thorough  revival  in  our 
churches  of  faith  and  works,  in  this  respect,  and  we  venture  to  say  its  in- 
fluence will  be  felt  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  It  would  not  be  strange,  if  it 
were  found  that  some  of  our  converts  must  be  converted,  before  they 
could  be  brought  to  promote,  and  to  rejoice  in,  such  a  revival ;  and  we  fear 
it  will  be  long  before  such  a  revival  will  spread  thro'  the  christian  world. 
Were  it  to  extend  through  these  United  States,  thev  would  turn  the 


3d 

world  upside  down.  Did  all  the  members  of  our  churches  in  this  coun- 
ty possess  as  much  benevolence  as  the  gospel  requires,  they  might  con- 
tribute twenty  thousand  dollars  annually  to  the  various  benevolent  ob- 
jects of  the  day.  And  what  might  not  the  churches  in  the  United  States 
give  ?  Thirty  millions  of  dollars  are  annually  expended  to  make  drunk- 
ards. As  much  as  this  might  be  given  for  the  salvation  of  mankind  ; 
whereas,  not  half  a  million  is  given  by  all  denominations,  that  the  gospel 
may  be  preached  to  "  every  creature."  At  tins  rate,  sixty  years  must 
elapse,  before  as  much  is  expended  to  conduct  our  race  to  the  gates  of 
heaven,  as  is  spent  in  one  year  to  conduct  ten  thousand  drunkards  to 
the  gates  of  hell !  !  And  yet  we  are  often  told  that  the  church  has  awa- 
ked from  her  slumbers,  and  some  are  crying  out  against  the  immense 
sums  that  are  given,  as  though  the  nation  would  soon  be  impoverished 
by  her  charities.  Shame  to  the  church,  and  shame  to  her  enemies.  A 
single  theatre,  in  one  of  our  large  cities,  receives  almost  as  much  from 
the  votaries  of  pleasure,  as  the  Saviour  of  the  world  from  his  professed 
friends  throughout  the  Union,  that  he  may  "  have  the  heathen  for  his  in- 
heritance, and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his  possession." 

To  see  men  rolling  in  wealth,  and  professing  to  be  followers  of  him. 
who,  though  rich,  yet  for  their  sakes  became  poor,  that  they  might  be  rich 
in  heaven's  treasures,  is  enough  to  make  angels  weep.  These  men  of 
wealth  think  it  is  the  duty  of  ministers  to  wear  out  in  hard  service  ;  and 
if  they  have  a  bare  subsistence,  it  is  all  they  ought  to  expect.  We  do 
not  object  to  this.  But  we  ask,  are  not  the  talents  of  all  other  men. 
farmers,  mechanics,  merchants,  physicians,  lawyers,  judges,  and  states- 
men, the  Lord's,  as  well  as  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  ?  Will  he  not  call 
them  to  account  how  they  spend  his  treasures,  as  well  as  ministers  how 
they  preach  his  word  and  watch  for  souls  ?  What  right  have  men  of 
wealth  to  hoard  up  for  their  children,  when  they  have  already  more  than 
will  do  them  good  ?  They  ought  to  give  their  whole  income  to  the  Lord. 
Yea,  they  ought  to  be  diligent  in  acquiring  property  by  lawful  means 
for  this  very  purpose ;  and  they  ought  to  be  as  careful  to  bestow  it  where 
it  may  be  most  useful,  as  worldlings  are  where  they  can  invest  their  cap- 
ital to  the  best  advantage.  Let  the  wicked  rage  against  the  benevolent 
operations  of  the  day.  If  any  thing  can  save  the  American  church  and 
nation  from  the  judgments  of  heaven,  it  will  be  a  spirit  of  expansive  be- 
nevolence, produced  by  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  No  nation 
ever  enjoyed  greater  advantages  for  wealth.  And  how  have  other 
nations  fallen  ?  In  infancy  they  were  hardy  and  industrious.  As  they 
advanced  in  wealth.  luxury,  extravagance   and  vice  increased.     This 


I  13 

produced  effeminacy,  and  ended  in  rum.  There  arc.-  several  important 
benevolent  societies  in  our  country,  under  the  direction  of  men  of  piety 
and  talents,  which  have  the  strongest  claim  to  our  charities,  such  as  Bi- 
ble Societies,  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missionary  Societies,  Tract  So- 
cieties, Education  Societies,  and  Societies  for  the  reformation  of  Sea- 
men. The  most  unexceptionable  method  of  aiding  these  societies,  bv 
the  great  mass  of  our  people,  is  through  public  contributions.  We 
trust  the  time  will  come,  when  every  member  of  the  church  of  Christ 
will  "  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  hath  prospered  him,"  and  from  Sab- 
bath to  Sabbath  cast  in  his  free-will  offering  into  the  treasury  of  the 
Lord,  for  the  conversion  of  the  world.  The  first  church  that  shall  ar- 
rive at  this  eminence  in  christian  liberality,  will  set  an  example,  which 
may  be  as  important  to  our  world,  as  that  of  the  man  who  first  resolved 
to  put  an  end  to  the  slave  trade,  or  who  established  the  first  Sabbath 
school.  Until  there  is  more  of  the  spirit  of  Christ  in  our  churches,  such 
an  attempt  would  be  in  vain.  But  we  would  suggest,  whether  a  month- 
ly contribution  might  not  be  regularly  made  on  the  Sabbath,  to  such  of 
the  great  benevolent  objects  as  should  be  agreed  upon  by  the  churches 

16.  The  stated  meetings  of  ecclesiastical  bodies  ought  to  be  more 
strictly  religious.  Meetings  of  our  Sessions,  of  our  Presbyteries,  of 
our  Synods,  and  even  of  the  General  Assembly,  are  mere  meetings  of 
business,  and  this  business  is  too  often  done  in  the  spirit  of  the  world. 
Our  pious  people  are  uninterested,  or  grieved  to  see  the  ambitious  and 
litigious  spirit  which  too  often  prevails.  Were  He  in  whose  name  we 
act,  to  descend  again,  and  appear  in  person,  and  witness  our  proceed- 
ings, could  we  expect  his  approbation  ?  Were  more  time  spent  in  pray- 
er and  other  religious  exercises,  our  business  would  be  as  soon  done, 
and  better  done,  and  we  should  return  with  a  "  conscience  more  void  of 
offence  toward  God  and  toward  man." 


Thus,  brethren,  we  have  endeavoured  to  perform  the  duty  assigned 
us,  according  to  the  best  of  our  ability.  WTe  hope  and  pray  it  may  not 
be  in  vain  to  our  churches,  nor  to  those  into  whose  hands  this  pamphlet 
may  fall.  If  it  should  excite  one  minister  or  church  to  seek  the  glory 
of  God  with  becoming  zeal,  or  save  one  soul  from  the  dread  sentence. 
"  Depart  ye  cursed,"  we  shall  have  cause  of  thanksgiving  and  praise, 
that  we  were  permitted  to  perform  the  duty  you  imposed.  We  are  con- 
fident, that  if  ministers  and  churches  through  our  land  could  be  brought 


01 

to  pursue  with  zeal'  the  means  suggested,  from  year  to  year,  that  the 
world  would  soon  witness  revivals  more  extensive  and  powerful  than 
have  ever  been  witnessed,  compared  with  which  what  we  have  seen  in 
this  county  would  be  almost  nothing.  Could  our  churches  be  brought 
habitually  to  pray  for  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  they  would  be  so 
filled  with  its  fruits,  that  they  would  become  terrible  to  opposition  as  an 
army  with  banners.  And  we  would  specially  urge  this  upon  our  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry,  and  upon  our  churches.  A  large  measure  of  this 
influence  is  all  we  want  to  make  us  in  the  highest  degree  useful.  It 
would  lead  to  the  wisest  and  best  use  of  all  our  powers.  And  there  is 
no  blessing  for  which  we  have  greater  encouragement  to  pray.  We  are 
furnished  with  every  argument  to  plead  with  the  God  of  all  grace  for  the 
influences  of  his  spirit.  God  will  be  glorified  in  us.  These  influences 
are  the  substance  of  all  the  blessings  which  Christ  purchased  by  his 
death.  There  is  no  blessing  promised  more  absolutely,  none  which  God 
takes  greater  delight  in  bestowing.  Our  Saviour  teaches  us  that  "  our 
heavenly  Father  is  more  ready  to  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  those  who  ask 
him,  than  earthly  parents  are  to  give  good  gifts  unto  their  children."* 
He  is  the  Sanctifier  and  the  Comforter  ;  and  could  the  church  be  brought 
suitably  to  value  this  gift,  which  Christ  purchased  by  his  groans  and  his 
blood,  she  would  be  filled  with  love,  and  joy,  and  peace,  which  would 
pass  all  understanding.  The  fires  of  the  Holy  Ghost  would  descend 
and  kindle  revivals,  which  would  spread  through  the  land,  burning  up  its 
filth  and  pollution,  as  fires  spread  and  roar  through  the  parched  forests, 
consuming  every  thing  they  meet  in  their  resistless  course. 

JOHN  FROST,       x 
MOSES  GILLET,    \  Committee. 
NOAH  COE,  ) 


*  Pres't  Edwards  makes  the  following  remarks  on  these  words  : — "  There 
is  no  blessing  that  we  have  so  great  encouragement  to  pray  for,  as  the  Spirit 
of  God.  The  words  imply  that  our  heavenly  Father  is  especially  ready  to  be- 
stow his  Holy  Spirit  on  them  that  ask  him.  Of  the  more  excellent  nature  any 
blessing  is  that  we  stand  in  need  of,  the  more  ready  God  is  to  bestow  it  in  an- 
swer to  prayer.  The  infinite  goodness  of  God's  nature  is  the  more  gratified, 
and  the  grand  design  and  aim  of  the  contrivance  and  work  of  our  redemption 
is  the  more  answered,  and  Jesus  Christ  the  Redeemer  has  the  greater  success 
in  his  undertaking  and  labours  ;  and  those  desires  that  are  expressed  in  pray- 
er for  the  most  excellent  blessings,  are  the  most  excellent  desires,  and  conse- 
quently such  as  Cod  most  approves,  and  is  most  ready  to  gratify.'1 


AJMHnnra! 


The  letter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wetmore,  alluded  to  in  the  preceding 
Narrative,  is  as  follows  : — 

«  Gentlemen — Since  I  forwarded  you  an  account  of  the  revival  in 
the  congregation  of  which  I  have  the  charge,  there  has  appeared  a 
pamphlet,  entitled  "  Bunker  Hill  Contest,"  signed  by  Ephraim  Perkins, 
as  author.  In  the  pamphlet  are  several  statements  relative  to  the  revi- 
val in  the  Presbyterian  congregation  of  this  place.  Now  what  I  have 
to  state  is,  that  Mr.  Perkins  has  given  in  general  a  false  statement  of 
the  proceedings  in  the  revival,  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  and  so  far  as 
relates  to  the  manner  and  means  made  use  of  in  promoting  the  revival 
in  my  congregation.  I  am  ready  to  say,  and  to  prove  if  it  were  neces- 
sary, that  the  statements  which  he  has  made  are  a  gross  perversion  of 
the  truth.  It  will  be  recollected  that  he  has  himself  been  into  none  of 
our  meetings  during  the  revival,  except  in  one  instance  on  the  Sabbath, 
in  which  he  heard  a  part  of  a  sermon.  As  for  any  combination  from 
abroad,  or  in  this  place,  to  make  desperate  efforts  to  break  down  the 
Socinians  in  this  village,  it  has  been  totally  unknown  to  me  ;  and  I  can 
truly  say  it  is  a  base  fabrication.  We  have  had  as  little  help  from  abroad, 
and  I  believe  leas  than  most  of  our  sister  churches,  where  the  revival 
has  been.  The  most  we  have  received  has  been  from  the  Rev.  N. 
S.  Smith,  and  his  labours,  under  God,  have  been  blessed  to  the  salva- 
tion of  souls  ;  and  I  can  truly  say  of  him,  that  he  has  acted  the  part  of  a 
faithful  minister  of  the  gospel.  We  also  enjoyed  the  services  of  a  young 
gentleman  from  Auburn  for  about  two  months,  whose  services  were 
highly  blessed  ;  and  it  becomes  me  to  say  of  him,  that  among  us  he  act- 
ed a  judicious  part,  and  no  man  has  ever  been  more  highly  esteemed 
by  those  who  knew  him.  He  had  no  connexion  with  the  Auburn  theo- 
logical seminary  at  the  time  he  was  with  us,  nor  previous  to  that  time. 

t;  What  I  have  further  to  notice  at  this  time  relative  to  the  pamphlet, 
is  a  certificate  at  the  end  of  the  publication,  signed  by  certain  gentle- 


inon.  They  say,  "  they  are  free  to  express  their  opinion,  that  it  is  afar 
representation  of  events  and  occurrences  that  have  transpired  in  this  re- 
vival." This  they  certify  particularly  respecting  Trenton.  Now  I  ask, 
how  these  gentlemen  can  be  witnesses  to  what  has  taken  place  in  any  of 
the  meetings  in  the  society  to  which  I  minister  ?  They  have  not  heard 
Mr.  Wetmore  or  Mr.  Smith  preach,  from  the  time  the  revival  commen- 
ced until  the  pamphlet  went  to  press.  One  of  these  gentlemen  who 
signs  the  certificate,  viz.  John  Mappa,  is  a  resident  in  Boonville,  eigh- 
teen miles  from  Trenton,  and  has  in  no  one  instance  been  into  any  of 
our  meetings  since  my  residence  in  the  village  of  Trenton.  The  whole 
of  them  are  members  of  the  unitarian  congregation.  I  ask,  how  any 
gentleman  can  certify  to  the  thing's  being  correct,  in  which  they  can  in 
no  instance  be  competent  witnesses  ?  Mr.  Perkins  must  certify  who 
these  gentlemen  are.  It  may  be  asked,  who  is  Mr.  Perkins  ?  He  is  a 
farmer,  who  deals  much  in  horses,  and  is  a  deacon  in  the  unitarian 
church. 

"  It  becomes  me  to  state,  that  in  the  opposition  which  has  been  made 
to  the  revival  from  Unitarians,  there  are  honourable  exceptions  ;  and 
without  being  invidious,  I  will  mention  the  Honourable  Adrian  Vander- 
kemp,  whose  talents  and  affability  of  manners  I  highly  esteem. 

-OLIVER  WETMORE. 

^December  1,  1826." 

The  pamphlet  mentioned  in  the  preceding  letter  contains  upwards  of 
a  hundred  pages,  and  has  recently  been  published  in  this  county,  with 
the  following  warlike  and  imposing  title  : — 

A 

''BUNKER  HILL"  CONTEST, 

A.  D.   1826, 

Between  the  "Holy  Alliance"  for  the  Establishment  of  Hierarchy  and 

Ecclesiastical  Domination  over  the  Human  Mind, 

On  the  one  Side ; 

An'd  the  Asserters  of  Free  Inquiry,  Bible  Religion,  Christian  Freedom. 

and   Civil   Liberty, 

On  the  Other. 

acfte  Stcto*  Cftarles  iFSuueg,  . 

;«  Home  Missionary,"  and  High  Priest  of  the  Expeditions  of  the  Alli- 
ance in  the  Interior  of  New  York  :  Head-Quarter*. 
County  of  Oneida. 


65 

If  we  might  be  permitted  to  speak  in  the  same  martial  style,  we 

should  say,  that  this  extraordinary  production  might  more  appropriately 

be  called — 

THE 

TRENTOZtf  SHAM  FIGHT, 

A.  D.   1826, 

Between  Unitarians,  Writers  of  Anonymous  Letters,  and  Opposers  oi 

Bible,  Tract  and  Missionary  Societies,  and  Revivals  of  Religion  ; 

in  support  of"-  The  Prince  of  the  Power  of  the  Air," 

On  the  one  Side ; 

And  Bugbears,  Sprites,  Fairies,  Ghosts,  and  Hobgoblins,  of  their  own 

conjuration, 
On  the  Other. 

Jftlr*  ISjittttutu  perftttis, 

Deacon  of  the  Unitarian  Church,  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Allied 

Forces  in  the  Interior  of  New-York  :  Head-Quarters, 

Oldenbarnevelt,  near  Trenton-Falls. 

The  committee  have  neither  time  nor  inclination  to  give  the  public 
any  thing  like  a  formal  answer  to  this  heterogeneous  production  ;  and 
■were  its  circulation  confined  to  this  county,  they  should  have  deemed  any 
notice  of  it  unnecessary.  The  most  we  shall  do  is,  to  give  a  brief  sketch 
of  the  work,  accompanied  with  a  few  remarks,  to  enable  the  public  to 
form  a  correct  opinion  of  its  spirit  and  object. 

Mr.  Perkins,  a  plain  farmer  in  Trenton,  and  a  member  of  the  unita- 
rian church  in  that  place,  is  the  ostensible  author  of  this  pamphlet.  But 
we  speak  advisedly  when  we  say,  that  it  is  the  united  production  of  sev- 
eral pens. 

Some  time  since,  Mr.  Perkins  issued  proposals  for  publishing  a  work, 
somewhat  of  this  character.  He  has  been  busy  in  writing  and  receiving 
letters,  and  collecting  reports  bandied  about  in  society  respecting  the 
revivals  in  this  part  of  the  state.  But  the  work,  as  to  its  style  and  mat- 
ter, owes  its  character  principally  to  others.  Mr.  Perkins  is  the  puppet 
which  has  appeared  on  the  stage  ;  but  abler  hands  behind  the  scene 
have  arranged  his  materials,  furnished  him  with  new  ones,  dressed  up 
his  facts,  and  to  use  their  own  favourite  term,  made  him  their  "  mouth- 
piece" to  the  public.  The  main  object  of  the  pamphlet  appears  to  be 
to  promote  Unitarianism,  and  in  doing  this  to  render  conspicuous  the 
Unitarian  Society  in  Trenton.     To  accomplish  this  object,  all  the  grea* 


66 

benevolent  operations  of  the  present  day  are  Btigmatized  as  mere  efforts 
of  the  orthodox  to  establish  an  ecclesiastical  hierarchy.  Presbyterians 
are  represented  as  an  aspiring  sect,  taking  the  lead  in  this  deep  laid  plot, 
and  seeking  to  accomplish  their  purpose  by  distributing  tracts,  educa- 
ting young  men  for  tho  ministry,  establishing  theological  seminaries,  ap- 
pointing monthly  prayer-meetings,  and  days  of  fasting  and  prayer  for 
revivals  of  religion.  And  last  of  all,  the  cry  of  persecution  is  raised, 
against  the  Unitarian  Society  in  Trenton.  The  whole  host  of  ortho- 
doxy, in  this  part  of  the  country,  arc  represented  as  combining  their  for- 
ces to  take  by  storm  "this  strong  hold  of  Socinianism."  The  little 
band  within  are  represented  as  meeting  the  attack  with  great  courage 
and  firmness,  till  at  length  the  assailants  are  compelled  to  raise  the  siege 
in  despair. 

As  a  specimen  of  the  carelessness  (not  to  call  it  a  worse  name)  of  the 
authors  in  stating  facts,  we  would  instance  their  calling  the  Governor  of 
the  state  President  of  the  Western  Education  Society,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Finney  "  Home  Missionary."  The  Hon.  Jonas  Piatt  was  the  first  Pre- 
sident of"  the  Western  Education  Society,"  and  was  succeeded  by  the 
Hon.  Thomas  R.  Gold,  who  is  still  President.  Mr.  Finney,  during  his 
labours  in  this  county,  and  since,  has  received  no  aid  from  any  mission- 
ary society.  All  the  support  he  has  received  has  been  from  the  unsoli- 
cited and  free  will  offerings  of  individuals  where  he  has  laboured. 

They  say,  p.  6 — "  The  public  are  generally  aware,  that  a  short  time 
preceding  and  since  the  commencement  of  the  present  year  1826,  there 
has  been  a  most  extraordinary  "  revival"  or  religious  excitement  in  the 
county  of  Oneida.  It  is  well  known  that  revivals  of  this  kind  are  com- 
monly among  those  classes  of  Christians,  who  hold  that  the  five  points 
of  Calvin  form  the  principal  features  of  religion."  Again  they  say — 
**  In  these  revivals,  Unitarians  and  other  anti-Calvinists  are  constantly 
taxed  with  coldness,  indifference,  and  opposition  to  the  interests  of  Chris- 
tianity. They  are  called  ■  deists  in  disguise' — '  enemies  of  the  gospel' 
— 'vipers' — 'devils.'  " 

They  observe — "  A9  a  reason  for  our  conduct,  in  relation  to  these 
revivals,  we  offer  the  following  illustration  from  the  Unitarian  Miscella- 
ny." Here  follows  a  long  quotation  from  an  article,  entitled  "Unita- 
rian and  Orthodox  zeal  compared."  In  this  article,  Unitarians  speak 
in  the  highest  terms  of  commendation  of  their  doctrines,  of  their  charac- 
ter, of  their  pious  zeal,  and  of  their  success.  Of  their  doctrines,  they 
say — v.  "\Ve  believe  tbnt  our  doctrinal  tenets  are  correct,  and  scriptural. 


t>7 

and  purifying,  and  ennobling."  Of  their  zeal  and  success,  they  say — 
"  We  are  making  exertions,  though  not  such  as  our  opponents  make. 
We  are  zealous  and  active.''  "  Look  at  the  churches  of  our  faith, 
which  within  a  few  years  have  been  planted,  and  are  flourishing,  from 
the  frontier  town  of  Maine  to  the  capital  of  South-Carolina,  and  the  vil- 
lages of  the  west." 

The  authors  next  promise  to  show,  p.  12,  "  From  the  writings  and 
sermons  of  ministers  and  professors  of  the  highest  standing  in  the  ortho- 
dox churches  and  colleges,  that  a  desperate  and  simultaneous  effort  of 
the  orthodox  was  deemed  necessary  to  sustain  the  reputed  orthodox 
faith."  And  also  to  show,  "  that  since  that  period,  corresponding  ef- 
forts have  been  made,  (or  rather  attempted),  not  only  to  sustain  the  or- 
thodox faith,  but  to  render  it  dominant,  and  to  place  if  under  the  exclu- 
sive patronage  of  government,  and  that  through  the  agency  of  tracts, 
and  the  national  tract  society,  education  societies,  and  in  the  multiplica- 
tion of  theological  seminaries  and  ministers." 

In  proof  of  these  efforts,  first  follows  a  circular  letter  of  Mr.  Ravens- 
croft,  an  episcopal  bishop  (they  do  not  give  him  his  title)  at  the  south, 
which  was  published  after  the  appointment  of  a  unitarian  chaplain  in 
Congress.  In  this  circular,  Mr.  Ravenscroft  complains  that  Unitarians 
do  not  openly  avow  their  sentiments,  and  thinks  that  different  denomin- 
ations of  Christians  ought  to  unite  in  requesting  of  them  "  an  explicit 
and  open  avowal  of  their  tenets." 

Next  follows  an  extract  from  Dr.  Rice's  sermon  before  the  General 
Assembly,  in  1820,  and  from  Professor  Lindsley's  plea  for  the  theolo- 
logical  seminary  at  Princeton.  In  these  extracts,  the  evil  tendency  of 
Socinianism  is  pointed  out,  and  the  importance  of  christian  efforts  to  re» 
sist  the  progress  of  "  infidelity,  under  the  disguise  of  rational  Christiani- 
ty." -  But  there  is  nothing  which  looks  like  a  wish  to  establish  an  eccle- 
siastical hierarchy. 

Next  follows  an  inflammatory  letter,  dated  "Cayuga  county,  August 
30,  1826."  The  authors  of  this  pamphlet,  for  reasons  best  known  to 
themselves,  do  not  inform  the  public  by  whom  this  letter  was  written, 
nor  to  whom  it  is  addressed.  It  was  probably  written  by  a  Socinian, 
a  Universalis!,  or  a  Deist ;  and  they  might  think  that  a  discerning 
public  would  be  puzzled  to  understand  how  the  assertions  of  such  a 
writer  could  prove  that  the  orthodox  were  aiming  at  an  ecclesiastical  hi- 
erarchy.    The  object  of  the  writer  of  this  letter  is  to  array  all  the  pre- 


68 

judices  and  sordid  passsions  of  the  irreligious  and  the  credulous 
the  benevolent  operations  of  the  present  day.  Alter  stating  that  all  the 
ctlbrts  of  ecclesiastics,  to  enable  them  to  levy  impositions,  or  accumu- 
late funds  for  religious  purposes,  by  force  of  law,"  have  failed,  he 
says — "  It  is  probably  these  failures  which  have  driven  the  abettors  of 
these  schemes  to  a  different  system  for  accomplishing  their  objects  ;  a 
system  founded  ostensibly  upon  voluntary  contribution,  and  dependinir 
for  its  success  solely  u  pon  the  zeal  and  devotion  of  its  contributors  and 
supporters.  At  first  it  was  a  small  inconsiderable  pebble,  exciting  little 
attention  or  interest,  and  managed  by  a  few  hands,  moving  apparently 
without  concert  or  connexion.  It  has  now  become  a  great  mountain, 
tilling  as  it  were  the  whole  country,  pushed  forward  in  its  course  by 
large  multitudes,  perfectly  organized  and  disciplined  under  experienced 
leaders,  moving  in  perfect  concert  to  the  same  general  tune  of  evangel- 
izing the  whole  earth,  by  the  force  of  money  and  of  missionary  labours."' 
The  writer,  after  enumerating  all  the  principal  benevolent  societies, 
such  as  the  bible  society,  foreign  and  domestic  missionary  societies, 
tract  societies,  &c.  and  the  immense  sums,  which  he  says  are  raised  to 
support  them,  insinuates  that  the  great  design  is  to  secure  the  influence 
of  statesmen,  and  make  their  election  depend  upon  their  speeches  made 
at  the  anniversary  meetings,  "  in  the  city-hall  at  New- York."  Now  we 
would  ask,  what  do  the  anonymous  letters  of  such  enemies  to  christian 
benevolence  prove  ?  This  is  a  specimen  of  the  logic  of  the  authors  of 
this  book  in  proving  their  charges. 

The  author,  or  rather  authors  of  this  pamphlet,  after  introducing 
their  letter,  observe — "  If  it  be  asked,  what  is  the  harm  of  all  this,  and 
what  injurious  consequences  are  to  be  apprehended  from  this  concen- 
tration of  money>  means  and  influence,  in  the  hands  of  ecclesiastical 
men,  or  rather  in  those  of  one  predominant  sect  ?  I  answer,  the  same 
in  principle  that  ever  has  and  ever  will  ensue,  in  like  circumstances 
and  from  the  same  causes.  Pride,  ambition  and  haughtiness,  on  the 
part  of  the  clergy  ;  bigotry,  ignorance  and  intolerance,  on  the  part  of 
their  followers."  "  Look  at  their  splendid  establishments  of  various 
kinds  at  home,  and  their  gigantic  schemes  starting  into  existence  abroad, 
m  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe,  the  execution  of  which,  upon  the 
scale  professed  and  contemplated,  would  require  a  sum  probably  equal  to 
our  national  revenue,"  &,c. 

If  the  authors  of  this  work  may  be  considered  as  speaking  the  feelings 
of  Unitarians  rrenerallv,  the  religious  public  may  here  see  what  thev  are 


69 

jtcci  from  them.  They  are  ready  to  join  with  infidels,  demagogue* 
and  scoffers,  in  opposing  those  great  plans  of  christian  enterprise,  which 
have  for  their  object  the  conversion  of  all  nations.  We  confess  we  had 
never  entertained  so  unfavourable  an  opinion  of  the  spirit  of  Unitari- 
ans toward  the  benevolent  operations  of  the  day,  as  we  have  in  perusing 
this  work-  To  charge  upon  those  engaged  in  these  benevolent  designs 
the  worst  motives,  and  publish  inflammatory  and  anonymous  letters  in 
support  of  such  charges,  evinces  a  spirit  we  forbear  to  name.  They  say 
Unitarians  are  charged  with  being  "  deists  in  disguise" — "  enemies  of 
the  gospel" — "  vipers" — "  devils."  Had  the  author,  attempted  to  prove 
the  justice  of  these  charges,  they  could  not  have  done  it  more  effectu- 
ally, than  by  the  publication  of  this  book  ;  and  wre  very  much  doubt 
whether  Socinians  generally  will  thank  them  for  it. 

Next  follows  a  quotation  from  Hallavi's  Middle  Ages,  where  he 
speaks  of  the  evils  that  grew  out  of  the  great  possessions  of  the  hierar- 
chy of  the  church  of  Rome.  And  what  does  this  prove  ?  In  the  same 
way  it  might  be  proved  that  liberty  is  an  evil ;  that  reason  is  an  evil — the 
bible,  and  every  other  blessing  which  God  has  bestowed  upon  sinful  men. 

Next  are  some  quotations  from  Mr.  Edwards'  excellent  speech  before 
the  National  Tract  Society,  in  New- York,  last  May,  p.  28.  And  what 
does  this  prove  ?  It  proves  that  many  religious  tracts  have  been  distrib- 
uted, and  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  speaker,  millions  more  ought,  to  be 
distributed  and  scattered,  through  "  every  city,  town,  village  and  family, 
by  which  this  society  is  to  aid  in  renovating  a  world."  Is  this  an  argu- 
ment to  prove  the  deep  design  of  the  establishment  of  "hierarchy  and 
ecclesiastical  domination  over  ihe  human  mind  ?" 

^Jext  follows  an  extract  from  the  circular  address  of  the  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society  recently  formed  at  Rochester.  This  address  is  ably 
written,  and  breathes  the  benevolent  spirit  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  What 
a  cogent  argument  to  prove  their  charges. 

On  page  30,  is  a  long  extract  from  a  pamphlet,  entitled  "  Arrogant 
Pretensions  of  the  Orthodox  Clergy."  This  extract  contains  many 
bold  assertions  and  severe  charges,  such  as — "  They  are  steadily  arming 
at  a  church  establishment."  "  They  are  steadily  aiming,  in  their  pamph- 
lets and  their  preaching,  to  establish  the  religious  obligation  of  paying 
tithes  of  all  you  possess,  in  strong  hopes  of  procuring  this  system  to  be 
established  also  by  law."  "  They  have  organized  a  stupendous  scheme 
of  raising  a  pecuniary  fund,  to  uphold  their  pretensions,  by  picking  the 
\ 


pockets  of  the  people,  under  some  or  all  of  the  following  pretences  :" 
■<  The  educating  of  pious  young  men" — "  The  establishment  of  mission- 
ary societies" — "  Societies  to  make  ministers  trustees  for  life  of  these 
missionary  societies" — "  Prayer-meeting  societies" — "  Female  benevo- 
lent and  missionary  societies" — "  Juvenile  societies,"  &c.  It  is  a  novel 
way  of  proving  the  charge  of  an  accuser,  to  bring  forward  another  ac- 
cuser to  repeat  the  charges. 

Next  follows  an  article,  entitled  "  The  Evils  of  decrying  Human  Na- 
ture." But  as  it  is  not,  we  suppose,  among  the  proofs  of  their  char- 
ges against  Presbyterians  and  the  orthodox,  we  pass  it  over. 

On  page  42,  is  a  quotation  from  the  ingenious  and  faithful  sermon 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wisner,  of  Ithaca,  preached  on  the  4th  of  July  last ; 
upon  which  they  say — "  Had  the  reverend  gentleman  been  born  in  the 
dominions  of  the  pious  Ferdinand  7th,  he  would  have  made  a  first  rate 
Inquisitor- General"  Had  these  authors  known  that  Mr.  Wisner  had 
prayer-meeting3  and  fasts  for  a  revival  in  his  society,  and  that  a  revival 
now  prevails  there,  as  great  as  any  thing  witnessed  in  this  county  the 
year  past,  they  might  with  equal  truth  and  kindness  have  said,  he  would 
make  a  first  rate  Pope. 

On  page  45,  is  a  circular,  accompanied  with  the  remarks  of  the  edi- 
tor of  the  Cayuga  Patriot,  which  the  authors  of  this  pamphlet  say,  "  has 
been  before  the  public  more  than  a  year,  in  various  publications,  and 
was  declared  to  have  been  written  by  leading  Presbyterians*  intended 
for  confidential  circulation  only  among  the  leading  orthodox,  and  such  as 
have  similar  views  and  designs."  This  is  the  weakest  or  wickedest  thing 
of  all.  We  can  hardly  believe  that  the  authors  of  this  pamphlet  are 
s^  weak  or  credulous,  as  to  believe  that  this  circular  was  written  by 
"  leading  Presbyterians,  and  intended  for  confidential  circulation."  It 
is  evidently  the  work  of  some  enemy  to  Presbyterians,  and  to  religion. 
It  is  written  with  considerable  art ;  but  the  serpent  shows  his  forked 
Tongue,  in  the  language  he  occasionally  utters.  After  describing  the 
spirit  of  brotherly  love  which  prevails  among  different  denominations 
of  Christians,  and  enumerating  the  benevolent  societies  of  the  day,  the 
writer  says,  "  it  will  issue  in  a  wise  national  creed."  "  By  enlisting  mo- 
ral and  religious,  and  consequently  numerical  force*  in  the  cause  of  reli- 
gion, all  the  opposition  of  infidelity  will  be  borne  down  and  overpower- 
ed." M  A  reference  to  the  state  of  Christianity  in  England  furnishes 
«n  ample  solution  to  this  position.  A  great  majority  of  the  people 
'hfr^  aro  r^rtjroiled  to  the  established  order-  and  unit**  in  giving  their 


n 

support  to  the  state.  I  do  not  say  this  because  I  am  an  Episcopalian : 
for  I  am  not ;  but  to  force  the  necessity  of  unanimity  in  the  prevailing 
religion  of  the  state,  or  making  it  national  in  its  form,  and  tendency, 
and  operation  ;  since  that  may  be  considered  orthodox,  which  has  the 
most  adherents,  who  are  made  so  by  birth,  education,  or  accident. ,1 
"  These  anticipations  may  be  further  realized,  in  securing  from  Congress 
an  appropriation  of  the  public  lands,  to  a  limited  yet  sufficient  number 
of  the  clergy,  and  for  a  well  defined  course  of  education."  No  intelli- 
gent man,  who  is  acquainted  with  the  sentiments  of  leading  Presbytcri- 
ansy  will  believe  that  they  arc  corrupt  enough  to  utter  such  monstrous 
notions,  or  that  they  are  so  foolish  as  to  suppose  that  their  brethren 
would  approve  of  them.  The  truth  is,  that  the  authors  of  this  book 
were  in  great  perplexity  for  proof  of  the  wicked  designs  they  had  charg- 
ed upon  Presbyterians ;  and  as  this  circular  was  in  point,  they  ventured 
to  introduce  it,  and  attempt  to  make  people  believe  that  it  was  the  work  of 
M  leading  Presbyterians."  Is  such  barefaced  falsehood  and  abuse,  the 
"  bible  religion,  the  christian  freedom,  and  the  civil  liberty,"  for  which 
the  friends  of  the  "  Bunker  Hill  Contest"  are  contending  ? 

Upon  the  preceding  proofs  of  the  base  designs  of  the  orthodox  and 
of  Presbyterians,  the  authors  say — "  Will  our  first  men  join  to  deliber- 
ate at  this  day,  on  the  « best  plan'  for  introducing  into  our  country  the 
state  of  Christianity  in  England,  where  all  denominations  are  compelled 
to  'euch  a  pious  unanimity  and  zeal,'  as  to  pay  tythes  to  that  sect  which 
lias  '  the  sanction  of  government,'  and  that  are  tolerated  in  maintain- 
ing any  other  religion  which  they  prefer  ?  Will  they  deliberate  to  '  con- 
sider that  orthodox  which  has  the  most  adherents  ;'  that  by  enlisting 
moral,  religious,  and  consequently  numerical  force,  all  opposition  of 
(what  they  call)  infidelity,  will  be  borne  down  and  overpowered  ?  Will 
our  first  men  deliberate  long,  or  continue  to  deliberate,  about  a  «  con- 
ventional arrangement  as  to  a  settled  form,'  and '  for  securing  from 
Congress  an  appropriation  of  a  portion  of  the  public  lands,  to  a  definite 
yet  sufficient  number  of  the  clergy,  and  for  a  well  defined  education"*?' 
No,  Presbyterians,  they  will  not."  And  we  may  add,  few  will  be  found 
weak  enough  to  be  frightened  at  all  these  bugbears;  which  the  authors 
Of  this  pamphlet  have  conjured  up  and  presented  before  their  eyes. 

Next  follows  a  distorted  representation  of  the  sentiments  of  Calvin- 
ists,  and  then  the  unitarian  creed,  as  exhibited  in  the  "  Christian  Disci- 
ple." They  say  they  give  the  unitarian  creed,  to  save  Mr.  (Bishop)  Ra- 
^«nscroft  the  trouble  to  "  call  a  convention"  for  the  purpose ;  and  as  ffis 


,  i he  Pope  would,  unquestionably  be  called  to  the  ciiair  uf  Air.  Ra- 
venScroiVs  convention,"  they  express  their  fear  of  being  "  overpowered 
by  numerical  force."  Why  they  are  so  bitter  toward  Bishop  Ravens- 
croft/' while  they  manifest  so  much  sympathy  for  Bishop  Hobart,  we 
leave  others  to  judge. 

"Another  means,"  say  they,  p.  56,  "of  enabling  Presbyterians  to 
become  the  principal  administrators  in  religion,  has  been  their  periodical 
monthly  prayer-meetings  and  occasional  fasts  for  revivals."  Alarming 
spirit  this  !  And  why  did  they  not  add,  preaching  the  gospel,  and  other 
means  calculated  to  lead  Christians  to  "watch  and  pray,"  and  sinners 
to  "  repent  and  believe  ?"  How  easy  it  is  for  these  authors  to  find  argu- 
ments to  prove  the  wicked  designs  of  Presbyterians ! 

The  last  extract  from  the  writings  of  the  orthodox,  to  show  their  evil 
designs,  is  from  the  sermon  of  Dr.  Griffin,  preached  before  the  "Ame- 
rican Board  of  Foreign  Missions,"  at  their  last  anniversary.  The  Doc- 
tor, after  showing  that  a  "  conscientious  and  liberal  Hebrew"  must  have 
given  nearly  "  half  his  income,"  observes — "  In  the  day  when  Holiness 
to  the  Lord  shall  be  written  oh  all  the  possessions  of  men,"  &c.  "holy 
men  will  feel  it  a  privilege  to  give  something  like  four-tenths,  or  one  half 
of  their  income,  to  God."  "  This,"  say  the  authors  of  the  pamphlet, 
"affords  a  pretty  clear,  indication  of  what  is  deemed  a  reasonable  tax 
for  the  benefit  of  "  the  Levites." 

There  are  one  or  two  comparisons  between  the  tendency  of  calvinistic 
and  unitarian  sentiments,  which  we  shall  barely  notice. 

On  page  36,  is  the  following  paragraph : — "Name  to  me  one  or 
more  professing  Christians,  of  such  anti-calvinistic  sentiments,  who 
have  been  convicted  of  gross  scandal  and  violation  of  moral  principle  ; 
and  I  will  name  to  you  for  each  of  them,  ten  Stansburys,  Bidwells,  and 
Whittleseys,  who  were  loud  and  clamorous  about  their*  miraculous  con- 
versions, and  rested  their  hopes  of  salvation  on  them  arvellous  operations 
of  an  hour,  the  righteousness  of  a  substitute,  and  the  certainty  of  the 
"final  perseverance"  of  all  that  have  been  converted;  and  such  arc 
and  were  also  loud  and  clamorous  against  merit  in  good  works,  vilifying 
and  decrying  human  nature,  as  it  comes  from  the  hand  of  God."  On 
this  comparison  we  would  barely  remark — Let  those  who  live  in  a  "  glass 
house,"  beware  how  they  throw  stones  at  their  neighbours.  There  are 
many  among  us,  who,  if  disposed,  might  relate  tales  which  would  make 
the  ears  of  Unitarians  in  Trenton  tind" 


73 

On  page  42,  is  the  following  comparison  : — "  I  am  confident  in  we. 
persuasion,  that  all  the  numerous  classes  of  Christians  who  call  them- 
selves anti-calvinists,  together,  furnish  a  very  small  part  of  the  convicts 
of  the  state  prisons  of  our  country  ;  and  seldom,  perhaps  never,  do  we 
hear  or  see  a  gallows  confession,  without  exultation  in  imputed  right- 
eousness, and  vicarious  atonement,  and  « the  final  perseverance  of  the 
saints.'  See  Hare's  and  other  gallows  « traits.'  "  We  forbear  to  make 
any  strictures  on  this  comparison,  If  the  authors,  or  their  readers,  can 
derive  any  satisfaction  from  it,  we  shall  not  attempt  to  deprive  them  of 
it.  We  would  observe,  however,  that  it  is  doubtless  true,  that  most 
ministers  who  repair  to  the  prison  or  the  gallows,  to  seek  the  salvation  of 
notorious  sinners,  preach  to  them  pardon  and  salvation  only  through  the 
blood  of  Christ,  who  "  died  for  the  ungodly."  Indeed,  we  do  not  sec 
how  those  who  deny  that  pardon  and  life  are  offered  to  sinners,  upon 
this  ground,  can  preach  salvation  to  a  sinner  just  leaving  the  world. 
Were  it  admitted  that  the  merit  of  good  works  could  purchase  pardon 
and  eternal  life,  the  dying  sinner  has  no  time  to  perform  these  meritorious 
deeds,  and  must  despair  of  salvation  on  such  terms. 

We  come  now  to  what  the  authors  of  this  pamphlet  state  respecting 
the  revivals  which  have  prevailed  in  this  county  the  year  past.  We  have 
not  time  to  follow  them  in  all  their  statements,  and  we  are  unacquainted 
with  the  circumstances  which  have  given  rise  to  most  of  them.  We 
have,  however,  made  some  inquiry  of  persons  acquainted  with  the  cir- 
cumstances, respecting  the  most  important  statements,  and  have  found 
so  much  misrepresentation,  exaggeration,  and  falsehood,  that  we  have 
no  disposition  to  pursue  the  inquiry. 

The  following  is  from  the  description  of  "anxious  meetings:"— 
"The  next  step  in  course,  in  these  'revivals,'  is  to  establish  what  are 
termed  anxious  meetings."  ««  They  are  generally,  if  not  always,  held 
in  the  night.  The  room  is  darkened,  so  that  persons  can  only  see  to 
walk  and  discover  each  other  ;  and  the  reign  of  universal  silence  is  inter-' 
rupted  only  by  now  and  then  a  dolorous  groan  from  different  parts  of  the 
room.  The  leader  or  leaders  tread  softly  about,  as  they  proceed,  whis- 
pering to  each  individual  some  question  or  questions,  such  as  «  Do  you 
love  God  ?"  &c. 

A  person  unacquainted  with  these  meetings,  and  the  rrianner  in  whicfl 

they  are  conducted,  would  suppose  from  this  description,  that  going  in*** 

to  tfyem  was  like  entering  the  sepulchres  of  the  dead.     The  plain  and 

simple  account  of  these  KiSetings,  which  all  who  have  any  knowledge  of 

10 


74 

iiicin  among  us  know  to  be  true,  is  this.  They  are  generally,  though 
not  always,  in  the  evening.  The  room  is  lighted  as  at  other  evening 
meetings.  Those  who  conduct  them  are  careful,  as  they  walk  about, 
not  to  make  unnecessary  noise,  and  converse  with  individuals  in  a  low 
voice,  so  as  not  to  divert  the  attention  of  others.  They  question  those 
who  attend,  to  ascertain  their  views  and  feelings  on  religion,  and  give 
them  such  instruction  as  is  adapted  to  their  case.  After  conversing 
with  individuals,  a  short  address  is  made  to  all,  and  the  meeting  closed 
with  prayer.  This  description  would  not  have  answered  the  purpose  of 
these  authors.  The  best  apology  we  can  offer  for  them  is,  that  they 
probably  never  attended  one  of  these  meetings.  They  make  a  distinc- 
tion between  meetings  of  inquiry  and  anxious  meetings.  We  know  of 
no  such  distinction.     They  are  only  different  names  for  the  same  thing. 

We  will  next  present  our  readers  with  their  description  of  the  "  Bun- 
ker-Hill Contest."  We  give  the  substance  of  it  in  their  own  words : — 
"Itinerants  from  Auburn  Theological  Seminary,  and  young  converts 
from  Utica  and  Hamilton  College,  were  soon  patroling  our  streets  in  ev- 
ery direction.  The  standard  of  the  "  holy  war"  of  extermination  was 
erected,  and  every  loyal  subject  of  orthodoxy  called  to  the  field  of  action. 
The  gauntlet  of  proscription  and  denunciation  was  hurled  at  those  who 
dared  to  think  and  act  for  themselves,  and  who  had  the  firmness  to  re- 
sist the  desperate  and  unhallowed  attempts  of  interested  and  time  serv- 
ing priests,  to  enslave  the  human  mind,  to  shackle  it  with  the  dogmas 
and  absurdities  of  the  Genevan  school,  and  to  bring  our  country  under 
the  iron  reign  of  an  ecclesiastical  hierarchy.  If  the  Presbyterians  con- 
sidered Trenton  the  "strong  hold  of  Socinianism,"  the  Gibraltar  of  reli- 
gious liberty  in  this  region,  it  is  no  wonder  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith, 
who  had  already  distinguished  himself  as  a  warrior  in  the  battle  of  Balti- 
more, in  the  late  war,  and  seven  or  eight  more  daring  spirits  from  the 
head-quarters  of  orthodoxy,  were  sent  to  subdue  us.  The  forces  were 
marshalled  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Smith.  The  plan  of  attack  upon 
the  "strong  hold  of  Socinianism,"  we  may  suppose,  was  settled  by  a 
council  of  religious  warriors.  The  exhortations  of  Mr.  Smith,  second- 
ed by  the  pastor  of  the  presbyterian  church  in  Trenton,  fired  every  bo- 
som with  the  ardour  of  enthusiasm  ;  and  the  assurances  of  victory  and 
complete  triumph  brought  every  power  into  requisition  for  the  anticipa- 
ted conflict.  Thus  disciplined  and  prepared,  the  siege  was  commenced 
with  a  zeal  and  desperation  equalled  only  by  the  siege  of  Gibraltar, 
when  hundreds  of  bombs  were  thrown  in  a  minute,  by  the  French  and 
^anish^resolved  to  take  that  fortress  by  storm.    The  aspect  of  socieiv 


75 

in  Trenton  was  changed,  as  by  enchantment.  A  portentous  gloom 
seemed  to  rest  upon  the  place.  The  besieged  withstood  the  storm  of 
this  phalanx  of  orthodoxy  with  firmness  and  christian  fortitude.  With 
the  shield  of  the  holy  scriptures,  and  the  helmet  of  enlightened  reason, 
they  were  able  " to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  their  enemies."  Mr, 
Smith  and  his  coadjutors  learned  that  their  efforts  were  abortive  ;  that 
notwithstanding  their  long  and  desperate  siege,  the  citadel  of  Unitarian- 
ism  still  stood  unimpaired.  Mortified  and  disappointed  at  their  ill  suc- 
cess and  absolute  failure,  they  were  at  last  forced  to  believe,  that  the 
"  strong  hold  of  Socinianism"  in  Trenton,  was  not  to  be  taken  by  siege, 
by  storm,  or  by  escalade." 

Now  all  this  noise  of  war,  to  those  in  this  region  who  are  acquainted 
with  the  real  state  of  facts,  is,  if  possible,  more  ludicrous  than  it  is  false. 
We  doubt  not  that  the  writers,  when  they  had  finished  this  description 
of  their  battle,  however  fierce  and  warlike  they  look  on  paper,  laughed 
heartily  among  themselves,  to  think  how  many  would  turn  pale  at  the 
recital,  and  exulted  in  the  thought  that  their  unitarian  friends  abroad 
would  think  them  deserving  as  much  praise,  as  the  brave  little  Spartan 
band  at  the  strait  of  Thermopylae.  But  when  it  is  discovered  that  no 
such  "  plan  of  attack"  was  ever  laid,  that  no  such  battle  was  ever  fought, 
and  that  one  of  the  parties  utterly  refused  to  enter  into  any  contest  with 
the  other,  the  panic  of  the  credulous  will  cease,  and  the  Socinians  abroad 
will  withhold  their  praise,  and  blush  for  shame,  at  such  a  foolish  trick. 

From  Mr.  Wetmore's  letter,  it  appears  that  not  a  single  "  itinerant 
from  Auburn  Theological  Seminary,"  was  there,  and  that  the  principal 
assistance  which  he  has  received  in  preaching  has  been  from  the  labours 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith.  Fewer  of  his  brethren  of  the  Presbytery  have 
visited  there  during  the  revival,  than  have  visited  most  other  places 
where  it  has  prevailed.  Indeed  it  is  rather  surprising,  considering  his 
feeble  health,  which  has  prevented  him  from  preaching  much  of  the 
time,  that  he  has  not  received  more  assistance  from  them.  Fewer  pious 
young  men,  who  are  not  ministers,  have  visited  there  than  many  other 
places  in  the  county  where  the  revival  has  prevailed.  Mr.  Finney,  who 
is  represented  as  the  "  high  priest  of  the  expedition,"  was  never  there 
except  once.  While  at  Utica,  he  rode  out  in  a  week  day,  and  preach- 
ed twice.  Mr.  Nash,  whom  they  term  his  "  yoke  fellow,"  was  not  there 
at  all.  And  now  what  becomes  of  this  "  phalanx  of  orthodoxy,"  drawn 
up  in  battle  array,  to  throw  "  a  hundred  bombs  in  a  minute,"  into  this 
•'strong  hold  of  Socinianism"— *  this  Gibraltar  of  religious  liberty^' 


m 

J'bi^  phalanx  consists  of  t)ie  minister  of  the  place,  in  ejalthj  a-nu 

.Mr.  Smith,  licensed  to  preach  a  little  more  than  a  year  since.  But  Mr. 
Smith,  being  a  "  distinguished  warrior,*'  is  represented  as  a  host  in  him- 
self. Some  may  have  the  curiosity  to  inquire  to  what  this  alludes.  It 
is  simply  this.  During  the  late  war,  when  the  British  sailed  up  the 
Chesapeake,  Mr.  Smith  was  keeping  a  school  in  Baltimore.  Instead 
of  fleeing  from  a  city  in  which  he  was  only  a  sojourner,  he  turned  out 
for  a  day  with  the  citizens,  to  defend  it  from  impending  ruin. 

Now  what  have  Mr.  Wctmore  and  Mr.  Smith  done  ?  They  have  gone 
into  none  of  the  meetings  of  the  Unitarians,  to  enter  the  lists  of  contro- 
versy with  them.  They  have  not  entered  their  private  dwellings,  to  pro- 
selyte them.  Indeed,  these  authors  complain  of  them  and  other  Pres- 
byterians, because  they  have  refused  to  enter  into  any  disputes  ;  "  utter 
ly  refusing ',  as  they  have  done  here,  to  enter  into  any  public  or  private 
argument  on  tlve  doctrines  they  profess  and  inculcate."  They  have  not 
attacked  them  in  the  streets,  for  they  say — "In  your  daily  intercourse 
with  us,  you  cannot  help  treating  us  as  though  there  was  nothing  the 
matter ;  as  though  we  were  just  as  good  as  yourselves ;  in  fact,  as 
though  we  were  just  as  orthodox  as  yourselves."  From  their  com- 
plaint, it  is  manifest  that,  they  have  wished  for  war  ;  and  had  our  breth- 
ren been  less  prudent,  we  should  have  had  descriptions  of  encounters 
and  defeats  far  more  splendid  and  triumphant  than  that  of  the  "Bunker- 
Hill  Contest."  If  we  are  to  credit  this  complaint,  it  is  difficult  to  see 
what  use  these  Bunker-Hill  fighters  could  have  had  for  their  weapons 
of  war,  their  "shield  of  the  holy  scriptures,  and  helmet  of  enlightened 
reason,"  with  which  "they  were  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  ot 
rheir  enemies."  Had  it  not  been  for  spoiling  the  sport  of  this  mock 
jight,  they  would  probably  have  boasted  that  their  enemies,  though  re- 
peatedly urged  to  battle,  fearing  a  defeat,  uniformly  declined  the  com- 
bat. 

It  requires  no  ordinary  share  of  christian  meekness,  not  to  look  with 
mingled  indignation  and  contempt  upon  this  expedient  to  puff  the  Uni- 
tarian Society  in  Trenton ;  and  lead  the  public  to  believe  that  Presby- 
terians were  so  alarmed  at  the  influence  of  this  "strong  hold  of  Socin- 
'anism,"  that  they  had  combined  their  strength  to  take  it  by  storm.  To 
use  their  own  words,  "They  are  (in  this  vicinity)  a  little  flock ;"  and 
we  have  repeatedly  heard  from  those  who  live  in  Trenton,  that  not  more 
than  fifty  persons,  upon  an  average,  have  attended  public  worship  on 
the  Sabbath  for  .some  years  past.  This  we  should  suppose  a  small  num- 
ter  for  their  society.     They  say  th^  effect  of  the  revival  has  b^en  "t< 


xidd  to  our  strength,  and  increase  our  number.-."*  They  will  allow,  Ufei,. 
we  suppose,  that  it  has  done  some  good,  if  it  has  led  their  people  tp 
set  a  better  example  to  their  neighbours,  and  not  to  leave  their  minister 
to  discouragement  by  preaching  to  empty  seats.  The  fact  is,  that  the 
revivals  have  given  the  Socinians  in  Trenton  considerable  uneasiness. 
Mr.  Pierce,  their  minister,  appointed  extra  meetings  in  the  week.  Mr. 
Sherman,  their  former  minister,  who  has  not  preached  to  them  for  years, 
was  called  upon,  and  notice  extensively  circulated.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Ware,  from  Boston,  (whether  sent  for  to  aid  in  the  "Bunker-Hill  Con- 
test," we  know  not),  preached  two  Sabbaths,  and  also  in  the  week. 
Had  the  battle  been  fought,  therefore,  there  would  not  have  been  such 
fearful  odds,  as  they  would  make  the  world  believe,  in  the  number  of 
distinguished  warriors. 

One  complaint  against  Mr.  Wctmore  and  Mr.  Smith  is,  that  in  their 
prayer-meetings,  they  have  prayed  for  the  Unitarians  as  "deists  in  dis- 
guise"— "enemies  of  the  gospel" — "vipers,"  &c.  How  this  is,  we 
know  not ;  but  we  would  charitably  hope  they  have  used  no  worse  epi- 
thets than  these  authors  have  heaped  upon  them  and  others,  such  as 
" hypocrite" — persons  guilty  of  "protean  duplicity" — "contemptible 
meanness" — "systematic  chicanery  of  management" — "shameful  du- 
plicity"— "impious  falsehood" — "blasphemy" — "a. profane  swearing, 
damning  set  of  men-,  far  more  immoral  in  this  case  than  the  jack-tars.' * 
Surely,  if  these  "asserters  of  bible  religion"  believe  our  brethren  de- 
serving such  epithets,  they  would  act  more  consistently  with  their  pro- 
fession, to  imitate  their  example,  and  spend  their  time  in  praying  to  the 
"God  of  all  mercy  for  them,  that  they  may  be,  as  they  say  they  "must  be, 
converted"  than  in  writing  and  publishing  anonymous  letters,  to  tell 
the  world  how  wicked  they  are. 

In  giving  an  account  of  a  ball  in  Holland  Patent,  on  the  5th  of  July, 
they  state,  that  Mr.  Norton  "appointed  a  meeting  to  be  held  at  the 
same  time ;"  and  that  "both  parties  appeared  and  commenced  operations 
at  half  past  two  o'clock,  P.  M."  and  contiuued  until  day-light.  The 
truth  is  this.  During  the  revival,  there  was  a  ball  at  Holland  Patent, 
and  so  many  of  the  young  people  were  serious,  that  is  was  necessary  to 
invite  persons  from  abroad  to  make  a  respectable  number.  The  ball 
was  on  the  evening  of  the  stated  weekly  lecture;  and  the  meeting  was 
not,  as  represented,  appointed  on  account  of  the  ball.  The  lecture 
commenced  at  the  usual  time,  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  in- 
tend of  half  past  two  o'clock,  P.  M.     After  -the  lecture  and  the  assem- 


bly  wore  dismissed;  some  of  the  members  of  the  church  had  a  prayer- 
meeting,  and  "continued  all  night  in  prayer,"  as  Christians  have  done 
in  some  other  places  where  the  revival  has  prevailed.  Whether  this 
was  wise  or  not,  it  does  not  become  us  to  judge,  who  are  not  acquaint- 
ed with  the  exact  state  of  things  at  the  time.  But  we  should  suppose 
that  those  who  are  willing  to  fight  for  "bible  religion  and  christian 
freedom,"  would  be  as  ready  to  justify  praying  all  night,  as  dancing  all 
night.  Had  they  not  been  somewhat  more  friendly,  however,  to  the 
dancing  than  the  praying,  we  should  have  expected  them  to  have  given 
a  more  accurate  statement  of  the  facts  in  the  case. 

At  an  anxious  meeting  in  this  place,  they  state  that  "  a  lad  (Joseph 
Pride)  was  interrogated ;  but  being  intimidated,  and  fearing  he  should 
not  answer  properly,  or  to  satisfaction,  was  silent,"  and  on  this  account, 
was  treated  as  having  a  "dumb  devil."  This  bashful  boy,  we  are  told, 
is  a  muscular  man,  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  who  would  consider 
it  no  great  compliment  to  be  thought  so  timid  as  to  fear  to  open  his  mouth 
in  company. 

Again,  they  say — "Among  the  numerous  instances  of  despair  and 
derangement  of  the  mental  powers,  occasioned  by  these  'revivals,' 
Holland  Patent  has  shared  grievously."  The  Rev.  Mr.  Goodell  informs 
us,  that  he  knows  of  no  instance,  either  of  despair  or  derangement,  oc- 
casioned by  this  revival  in  Holland  Patent. 

The  authors  of  this  book  make  a  great  parade  about  a  theatrical  hand- 
bill put  up  in  Utica,  so  blasphemous  and  profane  that  they  are  almost 
afraid  to  describe  it,  which  they  intimate  was  a  "  disgraceful  stratagem" 
of  the  Presbyterians  to  produce  a  revival.  "Just  before  (say  one  or 
two  days  before)  Mr.  Finney's  entry  into  Utica,  last  winter,  a  great 
theatrical  handbill  (purporting  to  be  religious)  appeared  in  most  of  th^ 
public  houses  and  other  conspicuous  places  in  Utica,  representing  the 
day  of  judgment.  The  design  of  getting  up  this  handbill  was  not  de- 
clared. But  does  not  the  conclusion  rush  upon  the  mind,  that  the  ob- 
ject in  getting  it  up  at  that  particular  juncture  of  time,  was  to  make  a 
solemn  and  awful  impression  upon  the  audience,  knowing  Mr.  Finney's 
wonderful  powers  in  depicting  the  horrors  of  the  pit  and  the  condition 
of  the  damned  ?  Was  it  not  to  be  expected,  that  the  wonderful  charac- 
ter of  the  man  expected,  the  wonderful  scenes  there  depicted,  would 
collect  an  immense  concourse  of  people,  who  might  there  be  so  wrought 
'ipon,  a*  to  feel  as  if  the  final  consummation  of  all  things  was  at  hand, 


79 

and  terror  and  dismay  seize  upon  every  soul ;  and  the  good  work  oi  tt 
*  revival'  in  Utica,  would  be  as  wonderful  as  the  day  of  Pentecost." 

The  facts  with  respect  to  this  handbill,  as  we  are  informed  by  Mr. 
Aikin  and  Mr.  Brace,  are,  that  after  the  new  theatre  was  opened  in  Uti- 
ca, a  respectable  well-meaning  man,  in  the  Methodist  connexion,  em- 
ployed a  printer  to  publish  it,  and  put  it  up  in  certain  places  in  Utica ; 
that  no  Presbyterian  minister  had  any  thing  to  do  with  it ;  that  this  was 
not  only  done  before  Mr.  Finney  went  to  Utica,  but  that  he  had  no 
knowledge  whatever  of  the  circumstance.  It  is  taken  from  the  writings 
of  Wesley,  and  is  the  same  which  has  been  posted  up  in  London,  Bal- 
timore, and  other  cities,  and  was  published  in  Zion's  Herald  and  the 
Baptist  Register.  Now,  what  are  we  to  think  of  men  who  will  publish 
a  book  containing  such  abominable  misrepresentations  and  falsehoods  ; 
and  even  of  those,  who,  without  careful  inquiry,  will  lend  their  names 
to  give  it  credit,  certifying — "  We  are  free  to  express  our  opinion,  that 
it  is  a  fair  representation  of  events  and  occurrences  that  have  transpired 
in  this  revival"  ? 

In  another  place,  they  say — "  It  is  said  that  in  a  circle  of  the  anxious, 
Mr.  Finney  would  go  round  the  circle,  and  by  putting  his  eyes  on  each 
individual  for  a  few  seconds,  tell  the  exact  state  of  their  mind ;  and 
would  congratulate  one  and  another  with  their  new  hope,  even  though 
they  were  strangers  ;  but  it  is  said,  also,  that  he  had  in  such  cases  pri- 
vate reporters."  Why  did  not  these  authors,  after  describing  the*  dark- 
ness of  the  rooms  at  these  meetings,  say  that  Mr.  Finney  professed  to 
have  such  powers  of  vision,  that  he  could  see  the  faces  of  converts  in 
the  dark,  as  well  as  "  tell  the  exact  state  of  their  minds"  ?  This  would 
have  increased  the  wonder.  They  have  been  rather  more  cautious  than 
usual  in  this  statement.  They  speak  of  it  only  as  a  report ;  but  they 
show  their  good  will.* 

In  the  latter  part  of  this  book,  there  are  several  letters  addressed  to 
individuals.  But  we  understand  they  were  never  sent  to  the  persons  ad- 
dressed.    The  first  knowledge  they  had  of  them  was  through  the  press. 


♦The  opposition  manifested  in  tbis pamphlet  against  anxious  meetings,  re- 
minds us  of  a  remark  of  the  committee  of  the  Albany  Presbytery,  in  their 
narrative  of  the  revival  in  that  Presbytery,  A.  D.  1820.  After  mentioning 
anxious  meetings  as  a  great  means  of  promoting  the  revival,  they  say — "  Nor 
is  there  any  means  used,  against  which  the  grand  adversary  strives  with  such 
rtnwearied  effort.    Strong  proof  this  that  he  fears  their  influence." 


w 

In  those  addresse/lto  Mr.  Wctinore  and  Mr.  Smith,  they  complain  mudf 
of  their  conduct.  If  they  considered  them  blameable,  why  did  they  not 
go  to  them  as  the  gospel  directs,  or  at  least  send  them  their  letters,  in- 
stead of  sending  them  to  the  press  ?  This  must  convince  every  unpreju- 
diced mind,  that  they  wished  to  excite  public  odium,  and  not  to  pro- 
mote peace.  And  after  all  the  misrepresentation  which  they  have  made. 
and  false  accusations  they  have  heaped  upon  the  great  body  of  Chris- 
tians, they  must  not  blame  us,  if  we  hesitate  to  credit  their  charges. 

In  the  letter  to  Mr.  Wetmore,  among  other  abusive  things,  is  the  fol- 
lowing : — M  You  are,  it  seems,  a  young  convert,  quite  a  young  convert 
to  this  new  order  of  religion  ;  for  I  am  told  that  you  said  publicly,  no 
longer  ago  than  last  May,  that,  you  had  to  confess  with  shame,  that  you 
had  preached  and  prayed  for  twenty  years,  without  the  Spirit  of  God,  in 
unbelief.  You  had  preached  and  prayed  in  this  town  for  several  years, 
and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  you  was  all  this  time  a  hypocrite."  "  But 
I  advise  you  to  keep  your  confessions  to  yourself ;  for  nobody  will  be- 
lieve you  an  altered  man."  They  take  occasion  thus  to  abuse  Mr.  Wet- 
more,  ia  consequence  of  some  remarks  which  he  made  to  his  church  in 
the  early  part  of  the  revival,  on  the  danger  of  offering  unbelieving  pray- 
ers to  God.  He  confessed,  what  every  minister  may  confess,  that  he 
had  reason  to  think  that  many  of  his  prayers  during  his  ministry-  were  of 
no  avail,  and  offensive  to  God,  not  being  mixed  with  faith.  Similar 
abuse,  on  the  same  account,  is  bestowed  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lansing,  of 
Auburn. 

There  is  one  writer,  who  styles  himself  "  Berean,"  whose  angry  pro- 
duction we'  shall  barely  notice.  Judging  from  his  style,  we  should  think 
him  a  politician,  writhing  under  the  pangs  of  disappointed  ambition. 
From  his  own  account  of  himself,  he  seems  to  care  little  for  any  of  the 
various  religious  sects,  provided  they  do  not  disturb  him  with  their  opi- 
nions, and  will  give  to  him  their  suffrages  at  "  our  elections,"  and  not 
to  "  candidates  for  public  office  who  are  of  their  own  stamp."  He  talks 
of  "ecclesiastical  domination" — "ruthless  bigotry" — "gross  impu- 
dence"— "  self  made  inquisitors" — "  Saybrook  platform" — "[the  wrath 
of  the  kirk" — "delirious  fanaticism" — "two  aspiring  associations," 
(meaning  the  Western  Education  Society  and  Auburn  Seminary),  "  which 
are  spreading  their  dusky  wings  over  this  section  of  country" — "  grea* 
and  little  Juggernauts — "  offensive  matter  collecting  in  diseased  stom- 
achs"— "sectarian  gall  emitted  from  acid  stomachs,"  &c.  &c  We 
sfiouM  suppose,  to  use  his  6wn  metaphors?  he  not  only  had  ^diseased  and 


81 

acid  stomach,  but  that  his  digestive  powers  were  destroyed,  and  tliat  w 
had  the  dyspepsia  to  a  degree  wholly  incurable. 

There  is  one  letter  in  this  pamphlet,  signed  "A  Layman,"  addressed 
to  Mr.  Finney,  which  is  deserving  some  notice.  It  is  written  with  more 
ability  than  any  other  original  piece  in  this  work.  While  it  shows,  we 
fear,  a  heart  unreconciled  to  God,  it  is  but  justice  to  say,  that  it  is  in  a. 
great  degree  free  from  that  angry  vindictive  spirit,  which  seems  to  hav  e 
dictated  the  other  letters  at  the  end  of  the  book.  He  sits  down  sober- 
ly to  the  work  of  accounting  for  these  revivals,  and  especially  for  the  ef- 
fects of  Mr.  Finney's  preaching,  without  attributing  any  thing  to  "the 
word  of  God,  which  is  quick  and  powerful,  sharper  than  any  two-edged 
sword,  piercing  even  to  the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and  spirit,  and  of 
the  joints  and  marrow,  and  is  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of 
the  heart."  We  know  not  who  this  writer  is ;  but  we  should  suppose* 
however,  that  he  was  not  only  a  man  of  education,  but  one  who  had 
been  religiously  educated,  who  had  reflected  much  on  religious  subjects, 
and  whose  mind  must  at  times  have  been  seriously  impressed.  But. 
notwithstanding  this,  we  should  apprehend  he  had  unhappily  yielded  to 
pride,  ambition,  or  some  unhallowed  affection,  till  at  length  he  had 
swerved  from  the  faith,  and  become  bewildered  in  the  mazes  of  infideli- 
ty and  error.  In  perusing  his  letter,  we  have  been  ready  almost  to  in- 
dulge the  hope  that  he  might  yet  be  brought  to  retrace  his  steps,  and  dis- 
cover the  plain  path,  which  will  conduct  him  to  immortal  glory  and  blet- 
sedness.  This  writer  does  not,  as  some  have  affected  to  do,  speak  of 
Mr.  Finney  as  a  man  deficient  in  talents,  as  a  maniac,  an  enthusiast,  or 
a  fanatic.  So  far  we  agree  with  him.  He  says — u  To  represent  you  a 
sincere  deluded  enthusiast,  or  misguided  fanatic,  would  be  to  misrepre- 
sent you.  If  there  were  any  reason  in  the  world  for  the  hypothesis,  that 
you  may  possibly  be  a  sincere  deluded  man-,  I  might  have  treated  the  sub- 
ject in  a  very  different  manner." 

We  shall  give  the  substance  of  this  writer^  description  of  Mr.  Finney 
as  a  preacher,  which,  though  a  little  caricatured,  yet  in  connexion  with 
what  we  have  said  of  him  in  the  preceding  narrative,  may  assist  our 
readers  in  forming  a  tolerably  correct  opinion  of  his  preaching.  The 
influence  of  his  preaching  upon  the  common  people,  he  attributes  chief- 
ly to  his  power  of  awakening  their  fears.  "  Now,  as  a  shrewd  and  bold 
calculator  in  effecting  your  design,  you  avail  yourself  of  Calvinism  on 
the  one  hand,  and  the  flexible  passions  of  men  on  the  other.  You 
breast  yourself  to  the  work  like  a  giant.  You  open  the  attack  with  Ja- 
il 


82 

piter's  thunderbolt.  You  take  the  doctrine  for  a  damning  fact— -declare 
you  know  it — raise  your  voice — lift  high  your  hand — bend  forward  your 
trunk — fasten  your  staring  eyes  upon  the  auditors— declare  that  they 
know  it  to  be  God's  truth  ;  that  they  stand  upon  the  brink  of  hell's  ga- 
ping pit  of  fire  and  brimstone  ;  and  bending  over  your  body,  and  bring- 
ing  your  clenched  fist  half  way  from  the  pulpit  to  the  broad  aisle,  de- 
nounce instant  and  eternal  damnation  upon  them,  unless  they  repent 
forthwith." 

This,  he  supposes,  frightens  ordinary  hearers,  and  enables  him  to 
manage  them  at  his  pleasure.  But  upon  minds  of  the  highest  order* 
capable  of  strong  excitement,  this  treatment,  he  intimates,  has  no  ef- 
fect. To  effect  his  object  on  men  of  this  cast,  he  represents  Mr.  Fin- 
ney as  loading  them  with  galling  and  abusive  epithets,  and  making  them 
mad  with  passion,  which  they  vent  in  ravings  and  curses  upon  his  per- 
son, till  they  become  alarmed  at  their  own  supposed  depravity.  "  This," 
he  observes,  "  is  just  what  you  want.  You  remain  unmoved,  like  the 
arch  spider  in  the  centre  of  his  web,  drawing  the  cords  closer  and  tight- 
er, well  knowing  that  the  more  the  fly  flounces  and  struggles,  the  more 
he  entangles  himself  in  the  snare  ;  and  overcome  at  length  by  self-action, 
befalls  a  panting  and  exhausted  prey  to  his  all-devouring  adversary." 
After  thus  losing  "their  sober  senee  and  self-command,"  he  supposes 
this  superior  order  of  men  "  may  be  managed  like  an  elephant  in  his 
chains." 

Nx>w  we  think  this  is  giving  Mr.  Finney  credit  for  rather  more  talents 
than  he  possesses.  A  common  man,  who  believes  that  his  friends  are  in 
imminent  danger,  and  by  timely  warning  and  exertion,  may  avoid  the  ap- 
proaching evil,  and  secure  invaluable  blessings,  may  so  address  them  as 
to  produce  much  feeling  and  effort.  But  to  feign  all  this,  and  yet  per- 
severe in  speaking  and  acting  as  though  it  was  a  reality,  requires  a  mind 
of  uncommon  powers,  and  thoroughly  versed  in  the  arts  of  deception 
and  falsehood.  Further,  to  bring  men  gifted  with  minds  of  the  highest 
order  upon  their  knees,  before  the  throne  of  grace,  begging  for  mercy, 
by  false  charges  which  the  speaker  does  not  believe  to  be  true,  and  by  re- 
presenting them  even  worse  than  they  are  in  the  sight  of  God  himself, 
requires  extraordinary  powers  indeed.  We  had  supposed  the  old  adage 
correct,  that  "  Nothing  cuts  like  the  truth." 

But  how  would  this  writer  account  for  the  fact,  that  the  same  excite- 
ment has  existed  in  places  in  this  county,  and  numberless  other  places, 
where  Mr.  Firmey  ha?  not  been  ?  Do  other  ministers  possess  the  same 


83 

art  ?  If  this  writer  will  consult  his  conscience,  it  will  tell  him  that  he  is 
not  satisfied  with  his  own  theory  ;  that  it  was  dictated  by  an  unbelieving 
heart,  rather  than  an  enlightened  understanding.  It  was,  however,  ne- 
cessary, to  support  this  hypothesis,  to  represent  Mr.  Finney  as  such  a 
'<  shrewd  calculator."  It  is  possible,  also,  that  the  vanity  of  this  writer 
was  a  little  gratified  by  thus  exhibiting  himself  as  possessed  of  too  much 
discernment  to  be  caught  in  tfie  web  of  this  "  arch  spider."  It  has  ever 
been  a  favourite  hypothesis  of  unbelievers,  that  all  religious  excitement 
is,  somehow  or  other,  irrational.  It  is  the  only  method  of  justifying 
their  own  indifference  or  opposition.  It  is  far  more  in  accordance 
with  true  philosophy  and  common  sense,  to  attribute  the  strong  feeling 
which  is  sometimes  exhibited  by  both  preachers  and  hearers,  to  a  belief 
in  the  truths  of  Christianity,  than  to  any  other  secondary  cause.  If 
there  be  a  judgment,  a  heaven  and  a  hell,  and  "now  is  the  accepted 
time  and  the  day  of  salvation,"  there  is  good  reason  why  ministers  and 
people  should  feel,  and  feel  strongly ;  and  the  greatest  wonder  is,  that 
they  feel  no  more,  while  there  is  any  evidence  that  these  things  are  so. 
The  motives  which  these  truths  present,  are  immeasurably  stronger  to 
awaken  all  the  feelings  of  the  soul,  than  what  can  arise  from  those  things 
which  are  seen  and  temporal.  Just  in  proportion,  therefore,  as  these 
truths  are  believed,  persons  must  feel,  whether  converted  or  not.  The 
devil  is  doubtless  as  correct  a  philosopher  as  this  writer,  and  has  as  strong 
nerves  ;  yet  while  he  believes,  he  trembles.  And  did  this  philosopher 
believe  half  as  much,  he  would  tremble  too,  unless  he  is  destitute  of 
that  moral  susceptibility  of  feeling,  which,  so  far  as  we  know,  is  com- 
mon to  all  intelligent  beings,  holy  or  unholy.  We  venture  to  assert, 
that  if  this  writer  will  allow  this  single  truth  to  be  constantly  present  to 
his  mind,  that  unless  men  repent  and  embrace  the  gospel-,  they  will  be 
damned,  that  he  will  be  as  strongly  excited  as  others  have  been.  A 
man  deficient  in  common  sense  may  not  be  much  excited  by  the  truths 
of  the  gospel,  though  he  believes  them,  because  his  conceptions  are  so 
feeble  and  limited.  The  greater  a  man's  mental  powers  are,  the  more 
he  will  be  excited  by  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  if  he  will  allow  them  to 
come  into  habitual  contact  with  his  understanding,  his  conscience,  and 
hi3  affections. 

If  the  enemies  of  revivals,  therefore,  would  represent  persons  as 
weak  or  credulous  who  are  highly  excited  by  the  truths  of  the  gospel, 
let  them  prove  that  the  bible  is  a  fable,  that  there  is  no  hell  to  shun,  nqr 
heaven  to  gain,  and  that  God  will  call  no  man  to  judgment.  Till  they 
do  this,  however  wise  thev  mav  be  in  their  oxen  conceit*  thev  are,  mo- 


14 

nil)  speaking,  fools  and  mud  men,  that  claim  the  pity  and  the  prayer 
.»1*  those  whom  they  revile.     We  have  dwelt  the  longer  on  this  subject, 

•  cause  we  are  persuaded  that  a  philosophy,  "falsely  so  called"  ad- 
dressed to  the  pride  of  the  heart,  as  though  it  was  a  mark  of  weakness  to 
be  greatly  excited  by  religion,  while  it  is  not  so  by  other  interesting  sub- 
jects, has  done  immense  mischief,  and  ruined  many  souls,  especially  in 
the  higher  walks  of  life. 

We  close  our  notice  of  this  pamphlet,  with  a  few  observations  address- 
ed to  our  brethren  in  the  ministry  and  to  the  members  of  our  churches. 

Brethren,  we  here  see  on  record  that  hatred  which  exists  extensively, 
against  those  benevolent  institutions  which  have  sprung  up  in  our  coun- 
try within  a  few  years  past,  and  also  against  those  revivals  of  religion 
with  which  our  churches  have  from  time  to  time  been  blessed.  We 
think  this  pamphlet  will  do  good.  W'hile  it  will  gratify  and  harden  some 
who  have  advanced  far  in  the  broad  road,  it  will  lead  others  less  advanc- 
ed to  pause.  It  will  tend  to  unite  the  true  disciples  of  Christ,  and  teach 
them  their  duty  to  come  out  from  the  world  and  be  separate.  For  sev- 
eral years  past  a  spirit  of  bitterness  has  been  manifesting  itself,  particu- 
larly in  this  state,  against  a  faithful  ministry,  and  against  the  benevolent 
exertions  of  the  church  of  Christ.  This  moral  poison  has  been  circu- 
lating among  a  considerable  portion  of  the  community,  in  scurrilous 
newspapers  and  pamphlets,  which  have  passed  unnoticed.  Among  the 
unenlightened  and  irreligious  they  have  had  more  influence  than  Chris- 
nans  have  generally  supposed.  This  pamphlet  has  embodied  the  sub- 
stance of  all  this  opposition  in  a  more  imposing  form,  and  Christians 
niav  here  see  in  embryo  that  gigantic  spirit  of  the  world,  which  under 
<  iod,  they  must  meet  and  conquer,  by  the  spirit  of  Jesus.  Those  be- 
nevolent exertions,  and  those  revivals  of  religion  which  are  here  vilified, 
are  indispensible  to  the  fulfilment  of  those  prophecies,  which  point  us 
to  the  future  prosperity  and  glory  of  the  church.  We  are  not  to  be  a- 
Larmed,  therefore,  at  this  opposition.  A  great  cry  is  raised  about  the 
immense  sums  which  are  contributed  to  carry  into  effect  these  plans  of 
benevolence.  But  when  tenfold  more  is  expended  in  the  grog  shop,  in 
the  theatre,  and  in  gambling  houses,  these  opposers  manifest  no  un- 
easiness, and  will  not  unite  with  Christians,  to  put  an  end  to  such  shame- 
ful waste  of  time,  and  money,  and  health,  and  life  itself.* 

*  Says  the  Connecticut  Observer — A  writer  in  the  Vermont  Chronicle,  in 
answering  the  question — What  is  the  real  state  of  mind  of  those  persons  who 


85 

The  bible  teaches  us  to  expect  opposition  to  the  Gause  of  truth  and 
righteousness.  Instead  of  leading  us  to  diminish  our  exertions,  this  op- 
position should  rouse  us  to  additional  zeal  and  activity.  Nor  are  we  to 
be  alarmed  because  these  efforts  are  attributed  to  the  worst  motives. 
Christ  and  his  apostles  were  falsely  accused.  We  should  be  careful  to 
keep  "a  conscience  void  of  offence,"  and  then  confide  with  unshaken 
confidence  in  the  promise  of  Him  who  hath  said,  "  Lo  I  am  with  you 
alway."  While  the  church  is  thus  acting,  He  will  cause  "  all  things  to 
work  together  for  her  good."  He  will  make  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise 
him-,  and  the  remainder  of  wrath  he  will  restrain.  Opposers  to  these 
benevolent  enterprizes  and  revivals  will  profess,  of  course,  not  to  be  op- 
posed to  what  is  right  in  itself,  but  to  the  motives  or  conduct  of  those 
engaged  in  these  objects.  But  this  is  a  mere  mask,  which  they  put  on 
to  conceal  the  true  cause  of  hatred.  It  would  afford  them  real  pleas- 
ure, to  believe  that  those  they  oppose  were  actuated  by  the  worst  mo- 
tives, and  were  chargeable  with  indiscretion  and  folly.  This  is  very 
manifest,  from  the  misrepresentations  and  falsehoods  which  abound  in 
this  pamphlet.  Instead  of  being  grieved  at  any  improper  motives  or 
conduct,  they  seize  with  avidity  any  thing  which  has  the  shadow  of  truth 
to  support  such  charges.  Let  those  then  who  are  engaged  in  promoting 
revivals,  and  other  benevolent  objects,  have  the  humility  to  learn  wisdom 
from  their  enemies.     An  enemy,  while  he  exaggerates,  may  point  out 

oppose  the  great  benevolent  institutions  of  the  day,  from  a  belief  that  they 
are  a  system  of  speculation  and  imposition  upon  the  public  ?  observes — "  I 
am  acquainted  in  a  town,  in  which  some  twenty  or  thirty  of  these  opposers 
profess  to  have  experienced  the  influence  of  renewing  grace  ;  and  the  change 
which  has  been  wrought  in  their  religious  views  and  feelings,  has,  in  every 
instance,  removed  the  real  cause  of  their  opposition  to  these  institutions. 
They  already  know  that  these  societies  are  conducted  upon  open  and  fair 
principles,  and  are  such  as  ought  to  be  supported.  How,  then,  in  view  of 
these  facts,  can  we  suppose  that  the  class  of  objectors  above  referred  to,  do 
in  reality  believe  that  the  benevolent  operations  of  the  day  are  a  system  of 
speculation  and  imposition  upon  the  public  ?"  "  How,''  continues  the  Ob- 
server, "  excuses  and  obstacles  thicken  around  us,  when  our  heart  is  not  in 
the  work  !  The  past,  the  present,  and  the  future,  are  summoned  to  our  aid. 
One  compares  missions  to  the  crusades  ;  another  sees  in  them  a  new  edition 
of  popish  aggrandizement  for  the  clergy  ;  a  third  scrutinizes  present  opera- 
tions, to  find  some  defects ;  while  a  fourth  prophecies  gravely  of  the  threaten- 
ing aspect  of  "coming  events''  in  the  political  world,  from  the  overgrown  in- 
fluence of  missions.  Yet,  in  the  face  of  all  these  obstacles  and  excuses,  the 
gospel  will  extend.    Happy  they  who  promote  its  progress !" 


errors,  winch  a  friend  through  partiality  may  not  discover,  or  through 
tenderness  may  not  disclose.  This  is  one  way,  among  others,  by  which 
God  makes  use  of  the  enemies  of  religion,  to  give  wisdom  to  his  peo- 
ple, and  enable  them  the  more  effectually  to  promote  his  glory  and  the 
salvation  of  men. 

From  this  pamphlet,  let  us  learn  to  guard  against  entering  into  dis- 
putes with  opposers  and  cavillers.  This  is  one  method  which  they  take 
to  prevent  a  close  application  of  the  truth  to  the  conscience  and  the 
heart.  The  heart,  and  not  the  head,  is  generally  the  unbelieving  facul- 
ty. The  honest  inquirer  should  be  patiently  heard,  and  his  difficulties 
removed.  But  he  whose  object  is  to  avert  the  truth  from  his  heart,  will, 
if  possible,  draw  him  who  seeks  his  conversion,  into  some  dispute,  and 
perhaps  attempt  to  provoke  and  irritate  him.  If  he  succeed  in  this,  he 
is  effectually  shielded  against  conviction.  Let  us  beware,  also,  of  spend- 
ing  our  time  in  talking  about  opposers,  and  allowing  our  personal  feel- 
ings to  become  enlisted  against  them,  in  consequence  of  their  abuse 
and  falsehood.  When  an  unhallowed  spirit  is  thus  excited  in  the  people 
of  God,  they  can  do  little  good.  Though  they  may  have  truth  on  their 
side,  they  will  attempt  to  defend  it  by  improper  motives,  and  God  will 
not  bless  their  efforts.  This  is  one  of  the  wiles  of  the  arch  adversary, 
to  destroy  the  influence  of  Christians,  and  to  check  revivals  of  religion- 
So  long  as  the  church  militant  loses  sight  of  herself,  in  seeking  the  glory 
of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  men,  God  will  make  bare  his  arm  for  her  de- 
fence and  success.  But  when  she  loses  sight  of  his  honour  and  glory, 
and  begins  to  fight  with  carnal  weapons,  her  strength  is  gone,  and  the 
enemy  triumphs.  We  would  therefore  entreat  our  brethren  in  the  min- 
istry, and  in  our  churches,  instead  of  spending  their  time  in  disputing 
with  opposers,  or  talking  about  their  opposition,  to  spend  it  in  prayer 
and  christian  effort.  The  more  we  are  opposed  and  abused,  the  more 
let  us  pity  and  pray  for  those  who  despitefully  use  and  persecute  us.  If 
we  are  the  children  of  God,  let  us  not  forget  that  we  were  once  "  the 
children  of  wrath,  even  as  others.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for 
his  great  love  wherewith  he  loved  us,  even  when  wTe  were  dead  in  sins. 
hath  quickened  us  together  with  Christ." 

This  pamphlet  indirectly  bestows  a  high  encomium  upon  Presbyterians 
and  Congregationalists,  who  are  here  considered  as  the  same.  The 
greatest  enmity  is  manifested  against  those  professing  Christians,  what- 
ever be  their  name,  who  are  praying  and  labouring  to  bring  their  fellow 
men  to  repent  and  obey  the  gospel,  and  who  are  devising  and  executing 


67 

phus  for  sending  the  gospel  to  all  nations.  If  Christ  has  a  church  on  ' 
earth,  it  is  among  such  professing  Chiistians.  If  there  is  such  a  thing  * 
as  piety  or  benevolence  in  this  world  of  sin,  where  shall  we  look  for  it, 
unless  among  those  who  are  thus  employed  ?  Presbyterians  and  Congre- 
gationalism are  in  this  pamphlet  represented  as  taking  the  lead  in  these 
benevolent  exertions,  and  in  these  revivals.  If  this  representation  be 
just,  it  is  conclusive  evidence  that  they  constitute  an  important  portion 
of  the  church  militant.  While  we  are  thankful  to  God  for  such  evidence 
of  our  heirship,  let  it  not  excite  spiritual  pride,  but  lead  us  to  humility, 
that  we  have  no  higher  claims  to  such  distinction.  Let  us  strive  to  de- 
serve this  encomium,  by  increased  exertions  to  promote  revivals  of  pure 
and  undefiled  religion,  and  to  execute  the  last  command  of  our  risen 
Lord — "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture." 

We  may  from  this  pamphlet  see  what  is  soon  to  be  the  dividing  line 
between  the  friends  and  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ.  Those 
who  possess  some  measure  of  the  spirit  of  Him,  who,  though  rich,  yet 
for  our  sokes  became  poor,  that  we  thro*  his  poverty  might  become  rich> 
by  whatever  name  they  may  be  called,  will  become  united  in  promoting 
revivals  of  religion,  and  in  diffusing  the  blessings  of  the  gospel  among 
all  nations,  by  casting  their  silver  and  their  gold  into  the  treasury  of  the 
Lerd.  All  who  are  not  actuated  by  this  spirit,  whether  called  Christian 
or  Pagan,  Papist  or  Protestant,  Jew  or  Mahomedan,  will  unite  in  oppo- 
sing these  benevolent  designs.  Between  these  unnumbered  hosts  tt 
mighty  battle  is  yet  to  be  fought.  God,  in  his  providence,  is  hastening 
the  hour  of  decision.  All  the  noise  of  the  enemy  now  heard,  compar- 
ed with  what  will  ere  long  be  heard,  is  no  more  than  the  murmurs  of 
the  gentle  rill,  compared  with  the  roar  of  the  mighty  cataract.  Soldiers 
of  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  in  great  numbers,  will  be  raised  up,  possessing  all 
the  austerity  of  John  the  Baptist,  the  courage  and  boldness  of  Peter, 
the  wisdom  and  activity  of  Paul,  and  the  benevolence  and  faith  of  John 
the  Evangelist,  before  the  powers  of  darkness  are  put  to  flight,  and  "  the 
kingdom  and  dominion,  and  the  greatness  of  the  kingdom  under  the 
whole  heaven,  shall  be  given  to  the  people  of  the  saints  of  the  Most 
High  ;"  and  the  shouts  of  victory  shall  echo  from  continent  to  continent, 
and  from  the  islands  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  The  honour  of  fighting 
the  "  battle  of  that  great  day  of  God  Almighty,"  is  reserved  for  our  suc- 
cessors. Let  it  be  our  aim  so  to  live,  that  we  may  look  down  from  the 
heights  of  Mount-Zion,  on  the  armies  of  Israel,  and  join  with  them,  and 
with  saints  and  angels  round  the  throne,  in  the  universal  shouts  of  joy 


and  praise,  saying — "Blessing  and  honour,  and  glory  and  power.   »»• 
unto  Ilim  that  sittethupon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb,  for  ever  and 


ever. 


The  revival  in  Vernon  Centre  is,  we  learn,  progressing  with  great 
power  of  late. 

By  letters  received  from  Ithaca,  it  appears  that  the  revival  in  that 
place  is  as  great  as  it  has  been  in  any  place  in  this  county. 


The  profits  of  this  Narrative  will  be  given  to  the  fund  in  Hamilton  Col- 
lege, which  is  now  raising,  the  interest  of  which  is  to  be  annually  awarded 
to  the  best  essay  on  the  subject  of  intemperance. 


ERRATA. 

Page  14,  line  25,  for  directed,  read  diverted. 

Page  17,  line  14,  for  Jonas,  read  James. 

Page  20,  line  8  from  bottom,  for  lament,  read  lamented. 

Page  21,  line  3,  for  spiritual,  read  special. 

Page  36,  line  7,  for  by  prayer  for  pardon,  read  beg  for  pardon, 


